Josh Bell may have had three extra base hits, but it was Kevin Newman’s 10th inning double that won it for the Bucs, beating the Reds 6-5 in 10 innings Saturday afternoon.
With Francisco Cervelli on first, Newman’s 10th inning line drive found the gap in left center. Cervelli beat the relay home, and Newman was mauled by his teammates at third base.
“That was amazing,” Newman said on being at the bottom of the victory pile. “That’s your dream as a little kid. You get here, and you’re able to come through for your teammates. Just to have everybody out there, acting like little kids...just brings you back to younger days.”
Newman’s heroics came after an uncharacteristically pedestrian day by the Pirates pitching staff. Trevor Williams allowed four runs- three earned- in six innings of work, allowing seven hits and striking out three, putting the Pirates down 4-2 in the bottom of the fifth.
Josh Bell cut the deficit to 4-3 that inning with a 431 foot home run to center field that came off the bat at 108 MPH. He had doubled in his previous two at-bats as well.
“Both gaps and then the center field homer,” Bell said. “That’s right where I want to be.”
Starling Marte gave the Pirates a 5-4 edge with a two out, two run double in the sixth, but Joey Votto tied it up with a solo shot to center off Keone Kela.
Nick Burdi and Francisco Liriano (1-0) tossed scoreless innings before Newman played the hero in the 10th, giving the Pirates their first extra inning win out of three tries this homestand.
“Flipped the narrative a little bit,” Bell said. “Offense picks up the pitching staff and inning after inning we’re coming back.”
Reds’ starter Tanner Roark allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings pitched. Raisel Iglesias is saddled with the loss, falling to 0-2.
Martin Makes Debut
After being called up Friday, outfielder Jason Martin made his MLB debut Saturday, going 1-2 with a single, a walk, a stolen base and a run scored.
“It was amazing,” Martin said. “I couldn’t even put into words I felt after getting that hit to lead-off the home [half].”
Martin was pinch-hit for in the sixth inning.
On Deck
The Pirates are Reds will conclude their four game set Sunday afternoon. Chris Archer (0-0, 0.00) and Anthony DeSclafani (0-0, 1.80) will face off with first pitch coming at 1:35 p.m..
NUMB3RS
1. Bell’s average exit velocity on his 22 batted balls this year is 94.6 MPH, per Baseball Savant. Savant considers balls batted 95+ MPH as “hard” contact.
2. Farmer’s third inning home run ended a streak of 19.2 scoreless innings at home for Williams.
3. Per Baseball-Reference’s Play Index, Martin is the 11th Pirate since 1908 to steal a base in his MLB debut.