Reds topple Bucs in 12th inning

With one game remaining in the 2019 season, the Cincinnati Reds broke a 7 inning stalemate to defeat the Pirates 4-2. Enduring just over an hour’s worth of a rain delay, the Reds produced almost three times as many hits as the Bucs. They also drew eight walks from the Pirates pitching staff.

In the end it was Reds reliever, rookie R.J. Alaniz, who blanked the Pirates for two innings and tacked on an additional run with his bat in the 12th inning to seal the victory.

The only offense the Pirates were able to muster came in the bottom of the second inning. After a passed ball allowed Jose Osuna to score and advance Kevin Newman to second base, Steven Baron doubled him home to make it 2-0 in favor of Pittsburgh. The bats then went silent for the next 10 innings.

Reds pitching consisted of several bullpen arms to combine for five hits allowed, two earned runs, five walks and seven strikeouts. The Pirates got a decent outing from starter James Marvel who lasted five innings and gave up six hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Marvel allowed a solo home run from Reds’ catcher Tucker Barnhart in the second inning. Then, in the fourth, a deflected ground ball off Newman’s glove to center field allowed Phillip Ervin to reach home and tie the game at two a piece.

The Pirates had a chance in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded and one out. However, Jake Elmore was struck out by Kevin Gausman, then Erik Gonzalez popped out in foul territory to Joey Votto, ending any shot of a late rally and a possible walkoff win in the ninth.

With Alex McRae pitching his second inning of relief, the game came undone for the Pirates. With Farmer on second base, Jose Iglesias drove a low two-seam fastball into center to drive in the deciding run. Then with Iglesias on second, the nail in the coffin came off the bat of reliever Alaniz, effectively putting the game out of reach.

The Pirates season closes out at 3:05 this afternoon with Tyler Mahle (2-12, 5.34 ERA) squaring off against Trevor Williams (7-8, 5.52 ERA) on ATT SportsNet—PIT.