Final
Reds, Pirates jockey for position in the Steel City
Sep 21, 2013 - 1:57 PM (Sports Network) - If Friday's opener was any indication, a one-game playoff set between the Cincinnati Reds and Pittsburgh Pirates would be quite the exciting matchup.The two NL Central clubs will snap their deadlock atop the wild card standings on Saturday evening in the second contest of a three-game series.
After being one out away from dropping the opener, the Reds rallied from three runs down to claim a 6-5 victory in 10 innings on Friday night. Cincinnati's fourth straight win gave it an 88-66 record on the season, matching Pittsburgh.
The division rivals have split 14 games this season and are five games up on Washington in the wild card race as well as two games back of the St. Louis Cardinals for first place in the NL Central.
The Reds trailed 5-2 in the ninth and got their first run of the frame with two outs when Jordy Mercer's throw to first on a Todd Frazier grounder was high. Zack Cozart then singled and a pinch-running Billy Hamilton stole second before Devin Mesoraco's infield hit plated two runs.
Joey Votto's homer in the 10th inning gave the Reds their sixth victory in eight games.
"It's really uncommon," Votto said of the comeback. "It's a rarity. For us to have done that in a game like this, against this squad, against that pitcher makes it even more rare. It's pretty impressive."
Mark Melancon suffered the blown save in the ninth as the Pirates absorbed their first loss when leading by three or more runs since 2009, snapping a string of 163 straight wins in that situation
"We should have won that game. That was our game to win," Melancon said.
The Reds hope to grab sole possession of the first wild card spot behind Homer Bailey, who is unbeaten in nine straight outings since a loss on July 26.
Bailey, who threw a no-hitter on July 2, is 6-0 with a 2.60 earned run average since his last defeat, with the Reds 8-1 over that stretch. The righty is coming off a 7-3 win over Milwaukee on Sunday as he gave up three runs despite five hits and four walks over seven innings.
"Homer was good today. He struggled quite a bit in the game but made pitches when he had to and made plays to get out of jams," said Reds manager Dusty Baker.
Bailey has been solid over his career when facing the Pirates, going 8-3 with a 2.66 ERA in 14 meetings. He is 0-1 in two against them this year despite a 3.65 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings.
A.J. Burnett tries to rebound from a tough-luck loss last time out for the Pirates.
The righty gave up just two run on six hits and three walks over 6 2/3 innings versus the Padres on Monday, striking out eight but taking a 2-0 defeat. He fell to 8-11 on the season with a 3.43 ERA in 28 starts.
"That's a big-league lineup. It is just baseball. Struggles or not, they have a big-league lineup. Take nothing for granted," said Burnett.
Burnett has gone 4-4 with a 2.35 ERA in 13 outings at home this season and is 5-6 lifetime versus the Reds with a 4.03 ERA. The 36-year-old is 0-1 against them in 2013 with a 3.86 ERA.
- CINCINNATI: 2
PITTSBURGH: 4
Final
Sep 21 11:57 PM - Pedro Alvarez single to left scored Justin Morneau. Runner on first with two outs and Russell Martin due up.
Reds 2, Pirates 4 Bot 6, 2 OutsSep 21 11:31 PM - Marlon Byrd sacrifice fly to center scored Andrew McCutchen. On the play, Justin Morneau advances to second. Runner on second with two outs and Pedro Alvarez due up.
Reds 2, Pirates 3 Bot 6, 2 OutsSep 21 11:30 PM - Russell Martin two-out, two-run Home Run (15) to left scored Pedro Alvarez. Clint Barmes due up.
Reds 2, Pirates 2 Bot 2, 2 OutsSep 21 7:48 PM - Zack Cozart lead-off Home Run (12) to left. Jack Hannahan due up.
Reds 2, Pirates 0 Top 2, 0 OutsSep 21 7:32 PM - Ryan Ludwick single to left scored Brandon Phillips. On the play, Joey Votto advances to second. Runners on first and second with one out and Jay Bruce due up.
Reds 1, Pirates 0 Top 1, 1 OutSep 21 7:20 PM - CINCINNATI: 0
PITTSBURGH: 0
Top 1, 0 Outs
Sep 21 7:08 PM
Related News
- Pirates Top Games of 2023: No. 6 - Drew Maggi gets his moment Dec 23
- The Pirates got it right with Andrew McCutchen Dec 22
- Bucs Arghticles: Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen makes comments after signing Dec 22
- Pirates targeting first baseman in upcoming MLB Draft Dec 22
- Cincinnati Reds sign Brooks Kriske, Hernan Perez to minor league deals Dec 21
- Bucs Arghticles: Pirates sign Ryan Mattson Dec 21
- Pirates Top Games of 2023: No. 7 - Johan Oviedo shuts out the Royals Dec 20
- Andrew McCutchen re-signs with Pirates for 2024 season Dec 19
- San Francisco Giants acquire TJ Hopkins from Cincinnati Reds Dec 19
- Talk the Plank Podcast: The Pirates are a bit ‘Rowdy’ Dec 19
- Bucs Arghticles: Pirates sign Martín Pérez to deal Dec 19
- Pirates sign Martin Perez to one-year deal Dec 18