Cincinnati Reds Recap: Reds Suffer 1st Road-Series Loss in over a Month

The Cincinnati Reds have been on fire of late.  But, on a day that saw A.J Burnett go seven innings allowing only two hits and one run—the Reds lost their first road series since April 17-19 when they visited the St. Louis Cardinals.  The final score would end up 2-1 in favor of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Dusty Baker chose to rest Joey Votto in this rubber game matchup and placed rookie Mike Castanza at first base.  Votto would pinch hit in the ninth inning—singling to left off of Pirates closer John Hanrahan to extend his modest hit streak to seven games.

The Reds started what looked to be a very promising first inning when Zack Cozart smacked his 13th double of the season to the deepest part of PNC Park.  Drew Stubbs followed with a walk and suddenly the Reds were in business.  Jay Bruce then stepped up to the plate and hit a line drive that was snagged by Pirates first baseman Matt Hague. Brandon Phillips followed with a fly-out to left-center, scoring Cozart.

That was the only run the Reds would score, as Burnett would settle in and shut them down the rest of the way.

Johnny Cueto, who provided a solid pitching performance going seven innings allowing only five hits and two earned runs, suffered the loss.  Cueto had one bad inning.  He started the sixth out with two quick outs but then issued a walk to Neil Walker.  Garrett Jones would follow with a single and Matt Hague promptly doubled to deep center, scoring both runners and sealing the Reds' fate.

The rest of the game was rather uneventful until Chris Heisey and Joey Votto hit back-to-back singles with one out in the ninth inning off of Hanrahan.  However, Miguel Cairo and Ryan Hanigan would both strike out to end the game.

The Reds have Thursday off before suiting up for a three-game series in Houston.