Pirates Defeat Reds 9-8, Complete Sweep

Pitching and defense were not on display this afternoon as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds 9-8, completing the sweep.

Things got started early in top of the first inning. With men on first and second base and one out, Aristides Aquino hit what looked like a routine grounder to third base. Even if you didn’t watch the game, you probably know where this is going. Colin Moran looked as though he broke in the wrong direction and the would be inning ending double play turned into an RBI single. The Reds would go on to add two additional runs in the inning.

The Pirates would answer. Kevin Newman, who had four hits on the day, lead things off with a double. Bryan Reynolds singled him in and advanced to third base on a throwing error. 3-2 Reds after one.

In the bottom of the second, Reynolds hit a ringing 3-run triple off of the Clemente Wall to make the score 5-3 Pirates. In the bottom of the third, the Pirates added three more runs thanks to an Osuna double and Agrazal fielder’s choice. In reality, Agrazal actually hit a line drive to right field that dropped in but the baserunner at first, Elias Diaz, thought the ball had been caught so he was thrown out at second base by a good 50 feet. Newman then added a two-out RBI single.

In total, the Pirates were able to hand Trevor Bauer yet another rough outing scoring eight runs (seven earned) off of him.

Agrazal was decent enough on the mound today considering the run support given. He went five innings, giving up four earned runs while earning the win. He struck out five and walked two on 100 pitches.

The Reds did their best to chip away adding a run off of Michael Feliz, two off of Kyle Crick, and one more off of Felipe Vazquez, but the Pirates were able to hold off. In addition to Newman’s four hits, Reynolds and Diaz had two apiece. In all, the Pirates cracked six extra-base hits and 12 hits total. They are now 55-75 on the season.

Up Next

Tomorrow the Pirates will start a seven game road trip in Philadelphia to take on the Phillies. After three games there, they travel for a four game set in Colorado.

Joe Musgrove will take the rubber for the Pirates tomorrow opposing Jason Vargas.

First pitch is at 7:05 eastern time.