Pirates-Reds: PIttsburgh Eats Second Straight Shutout

PITTSBURRH, May 1—The Pirates were looking to put the brakes on their three game skid, and it looked like they might in the first inning. Nyjer Morgan got things started with a single to left center, and from the time he was on base was threatening steal.

Freddy Sanchez followed with a single to center, Morgan to second. Nate McLouth, back in the lineup for the first time in more than a week, hit into a double play on a great play by Joey Votto.  Morgan moved to third.

Adam LaRoche walked on four straight pitches to put runners on the corners with two outs.  However, Eric Hinske flied out to deep right at the wall, to end the inning.

That was the only action for the Pirates most of the rest of the way as Bronson Arroyo was on his game. Fortunately Zach Duke was on his game, allowing just three hits and striking out five through five innings.

In the top of the sixth, Duke got into a little bit of trouble. Willy Taveras got things started with a ground-rule-double. Hairston then sacrificed him to third.  Votto Singled to center, scoring Taveras.

Then after Phillips lined out, Jay Bruce followed with a single, moving Votto to third. Adam Rosales the walked to load the bases for Alex Gonzalez, who grounded out to the pitcher, after a visit to the mound from pitching coach Joe Kerrigan; Reds 1-0.

In the bottom of the sixth it began to drizzle, and Arroyo continued his dominance over the Pirate batters.

In the seventh Duke gave a lead-off walk to Ryan Hanigan.  Arroyo then reached on a fielder’s choice. 

Taveras then sacrifice the runners to second and third, before Harriston popped out for the second of the inning.  With Votto coming to the plate, the rain really started to come down. Votto grounded out to keep the score at 1-0, however the game risked being called.

In the bottom of the seventh with the rain easing up, Adam LaRoche single to start the inning.  Hinske then reached on a fielder’s choice. Arroyo’s attempted pick-off move to first went wide and Hinske advanced to second.

Andy LaRoche then grounded out, but the double play was avoided on Arroyo’s throwing error.  Jason Jaramillo grounded out to end the inning.

In the top of the eight, Brandon Phillips hit a solo home run over the head of Jaramillo, Reds 2-0.  Rosales the walked after Bruce grounded out, but was picked off later, caught between first and second.  Gonzalez flied out to end the inning.

In bottom of the eighth Ramon Vazquez walked, drawing his ninth walk 36 at-bats this season. Delyn Young pinch hit for Duke, hitting into a double play. Leadoff batter, Morgan singled to right, however Sanchez popped out to end the inning, and the Pirates missed another opportunity.

In the top of the ninth singled to left center to get the Reds going again. Laynce Nix came on to pinch hit for Arroyo, who walked after the count went full. With an 8.59 ERA on seven innings of work, the fans booing was showing their displeasure in calling on Tyler Yates with the game close at 2-0.

Then on a short hit by Taveras and a throwing error by Jaramillo to first, another run scored and the runners advance to second and third, with none out.  Yates got Harriston to ground out.  Hariston was zero-for-four on the day. 

Votto was intentionally walked to load the bases and open up the potential for a double play ball. Phillips’ sacrifice fly to right field scored Nix, runners at first and second. Sean Burnett came on to finish the Reds in the ninth, striking out Bruce swinging on four pitches.

Down four runs, it did not look good for the Pirates coming into the ninth, Francisco Cordero came on in relief.  Cordero, with a mid 90s fastball, has 218 career saves—seven on the year.  Nate McLouth, got his first hit of the game, a infield grounder.  It was just the Pirates fifth hit of the game.  Cordero retired the next three batters to end the game.

Despite a solid game, Zach Duke (3-2) gets the loss.  The Pirates (11-11), who have slipped back to .500 on four consecutive losses, face the Reds again tomorrow at the same time. 

Their Major League Baseball low ERA is little satisfaction in light of the recent slide.  Cincinnati improved to 12-10.  The Brewers, Reds, Pirates and Cubs are all within a game of each other in the National League Central.