Harrison Leads Bucs Past Reds 4-3

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Justin K. Aller/Getty Images

Last night’s 4-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds marked the first time the Pirates won 70 or more games in season since 2004.  That being said, the Bucs need to finish the 2011 season against the Reds and the Milwaukee Brewers with a record of 3-2 to avoid a 90-loss season.

Tonight, the bats were working, Brad Lincoln gave a strong-willed performance, and the Bucs knocked off the Reds again by a score of 4-3 at PNC Park.

Josh Harrison had four hits to lead the Bucs past the Reds, assuring them of a losing season a year after they won the N.L. Central.

Lincoln struggled early tonight, giving up a run in the first inning.  Even the Reds’ outs were loud in the first handful of frames, but the Buccos’ right hander kept chipping away, finding ways to get outs and keep his team in the game.  He finished his five innings of work having given up two runs on six hits, while walking four and striking out four batters.

The bullpen, aside from Jose Veras, pitched scoreless baseball.  Jason Grilli gave Joel Hanrahan the night off, pitching a scoreless ninth inning to earn his first save of the season.

Harrison was the hitting star of the day, going 4-5 and was a homerun shy of hitting for the cycle.  Neil Walker had three hits and Jason Jaramillo added two, as the Bucs kept the Reds’ pitchers on edge throughout the night.  Andrew McCutchen was walked three times tonight, but record his 89^th RBI of the season on his sacrifice fly in the third inning.

It was a great night at PNC Park, as the Pirates played a well-received game by the nearly packed house.  While it’s certainly been and up-and-down year for the Bucs, it’s nice to see them finish off their disappointing home schedule with a series victory.

They’ll go for the sweep tomorrow afternoon, as James McDonald will take the hill looking for his 10^th win of the season.  First pitch for the final game at PNC Park in 2011 is slated for 1:35pm.

Record Vs. Reds: 10-4

Record Vs. N.L. Central: 38-38

Record At Home: 36-44

Overall Record: 71-87

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!