Ludwick's Walkoff Single Gives Pirates Edge Over Reds

by Zane Heiple

Photo by AP

The final home series of the year got off to an exciting start on Friday night as the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 on a Ryan Ludwick single to center field that scored Jason Jaramillo.  The win tonight gave the Buccos their 70^th win of the year, which is also the first time they have hit the 70 win plateau since 2004.

Pittsburgh got out to an early lead when Garrett Jones blasted a two run home run to center field in the second inning that scored Ryan Doumit.  They would then add a run in the bottom part of the third when Doumit hit an RBI single to right field. 

The Pirates once again used a lot of pieces out of the bullpen tonight, but that is what September baseball is about when you are out of contention.  Jeff Locke got the start tonight and lasted 4.2 innings allowing one run on six hits while walking two and striking out one.  The only run he gave up came in the fifth inning when Joey Votto hit a double that scored Edinson Volquez. 

Cincinnati then scored another run in the sixth inning off of reliever Chris Leroux.  Three more relievers were used to bridge the gap and hold onto the lead for closer Joel Hanrahan.  Hanrahan had a one run lead and was looking to collect his 40^th save of the year, but instead ended up getting his first win of the year.  The Reds tied the game in the ninth when, with the bases loaded, Todd Frazier was hit by a pitch.  The Bucco bats came through in the ninth however to seal the win.

Always exciting to see the Pirates win on a walk off hit and bring some excitement to PNC Park in September.  Andrew McCutchen and Doumit were the only Pirates to have multiple hits tonight, two.  These two teams will face off in the final night game at PNC Park for 2011 tomorrow night with Brad Lincoln getting the nod for the Pirates and Travis Wood heading to the bump for the Reds.  It will also be the final trip to the ball park for Fans From The Stands, so be sure to check back tomorrow night for the pre and post game videos.

Record vs. Reds:  9-4
Record vs. N.L. Central:  37-38
Record at PNC Park:  35-44
Overall Record:  70-87

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!

Reds Get Best Of Hammer, Take Series From Pirates

by Zane Heiple

Photo By AP

The All-Star break seems like it has been a curse for the Pirates as a team and for the two pitchers that represented the Pittsburgh Pirates in Arizona.  We all know of Kevin Correia’s struggles as of late, but even Joel Hanrahan has not been immune to the teams shortcomings in his recent outings, today was just another sign that the early good season fortune has gone by the way side.

Today’s series finale against the Cincinnati Reds started off great for the Pirates as they would jump out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning on a home run by Andrew McCutchen.  This lead would hold tight until the sixth inning when Reds first baseman Joey Votto hit a three run shot to center field off of Buccos starter James McDonald.  McDonald would leave the game after this inning, allowing three runs on three hits while striking out five and walking three.

Pittsburgh would counter in the bottom part of the inning off of another two run blast, this time by Garrett Jones.  The bullpen combination of Jason Grilli and Jose Veras would keep Cincinnati off of the scoreboard and set the stage for The Hammer to nail down another home victory.  Unfortunately Hanrahan was not his early season self today.  After giving up a leadoff single and a one out walk, Ramon Hernandez would single to left field to tie the game at four.  After another single, Brandon Phillips would ground into a force play at second, but the go ahead run would score for the Reds.  Hanrahan would walk the bases loaded and then get pulled from the game.  His replacement, Daniel McCutchen would strike out Votto to end the inning, but the damage was done as the Pirates fell to Cincinnati 5-4.

Tough loss today for the Buccos, would have been big to take the first two series in this home stand with the Milwaukee Brewers coming to town for a four game series tomorrow.  Pittsburgh did have a chance to win it in the ninth, when Neil Walker hit a one out double, unfortunately Xavier Paul and Brandon Wood were unable to bring him home.  Tomorrow will be a double header against the Brewers.  Game one is scheduled for 5:05pm with Jeff Karstens taking on Chris Narveson.  Game two will begin at 8:35pm with Brad Lincoln making a spot start against the Brew Crew’s big offseason signing Zack Greinke.

Record vs. Reds:  8-4
Record vs. N.L. Central:  28-26
Record at PNC Park:  29-35
Overall Record:  59-66

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!

Pirates Beat Reds In Another Close Game At PNC Park

By Chad Carlson

Photo Credit: Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Last night’s game against the Reds was frustrating in the fact that the Pirates battled hard, making comeback after comeback, wasting a few opportunities down the stretch and coming up just short in the end.  After opening this most recent home stand with two wins over the St. Louis Cardinals, the Pirates had dropped their last two games at PNC Park.  It was an important game this afternoon as the Bucs looked to revert back to their winning ways against the Reds.

That’s exactly what they did today, scrapping their way to a 5-3 victory to even the series with the Reds, setting up the rubber match tomorrow afternoon.

Charlie Morton pitched a nice game for the Pirates, giving up two runs on seven hits through his six innings of work, while Tony Watson earned the victory on the night, the first of his MLB career.

Joey Votto’s RBI single got Cincinnati on the board in the first inning, scoring Brandon Phillips to give the Reds the early advantage.

The Pirates tied the game in the fourth, and took the lead in the fifth with two more runs.  Ronny Cedeno singled home Andrew McCutchen to even things, 1-1.  RBI singles by Ryan Ludwick and Neil Walker gave the Pirates a 3-1 lead.

Votto’s RBI single, once again scoring Phillips, cut the lead to one run in the sixth, and Ramon Hernandez’s RBI double in the seventh tied the game, costing Morton a victory.

As they have done pretty consistently on this home stand thus far, the Pirates battled back, scoring two runs off Aroldis Chapman in the seventh inning on RBI singles by Walker and Brandon Wood.  For Walker, it capped off a game in which he went 3-4 with two RBI’s.

Joel Hanrahan came in and set the Reds down in order in the ninth, securing his 31^st save of the season.

Walker’s 3-hit performance led the way for Pittsburgh, who also received multi-hit games from McCutchen and Ludwick.  This was a well-earned team victory for the Pirates, and it was a very nice response to last night’s nail biting loss.

The Pirates had 11 hits tonight, 10 of them being singles, and they scrapped and battled their way through to a well-earned victory over the Reds today.  They improve to 8-3 against Cincinnati this season, with the rubber match now set for tomorrow afternoon.

Record Vs. Reds: 8-3

Record Vs. N.L. Central: 28-25

Record At Home: 29-34

Overall Record: 59-65

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!

Reds Win Back And Forth Game Over Pirates

by Zane Heiple

Photo by Getty Images

The last time the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds met, both teams were battling for the top spot in the National League Central title.  That was in mid-July and things have changed quite a bit.  Now both teams seem to be in a battle for third place in the division as the Reds held a one game lead over the Buccos entering the start of this three game series.  Pittsburgh has played quite well against Cincinnati this year compiling a 7-2 record, so there was hope that the Pirates could lead over the Reds and possibly make up some ground on the St. Louis Cardinals for second and possibly move closer to that elusive .500 record. 

Kevin Correia took the ball for the Buccos on this night and while he has struggled at home this year looked pretty good the first time through the lineup.  The second time through however, Cincinnati would put two runs up on the scoreboard when Joey Votto hit a home run to deep centerfield. 

The Pirates were able to get on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning when Brandon Wood hit a sacrifice fly to score Andrew McCutchen.  Ronny Cedeno would tie the game with a RBI single to shallow centerfield.

The Reds did not take long to regain the lead, Ryan Hanigan hit a solo home run to left field.  Correia continued to give up the long ball as Brandon Phillips hit a three run shot to left field giving Cincinnati a 6-2 lead.  Pittsburgh did add a run in the bottom part of the inning on a sac fly by Neil Walker.  The Pirates would cut into the lead once again in the sixth inning with another run.

Correia would leave after six innings allowing six runs on eight hits with one K and one walk.  The bullpen would allow a run in the seventh, after Brad Lincoln got two outs, he would leave the game with runners on first and second.  Joe Beimel would give up a hit to shallow centerfield and then walk a hitter to load the bases before being pulled.

With the Pirates down three with two outs and runners on second and third, Wood doubled into left field to bring Pittsburgh to within one run.  Cincinnati then added a run in the eighth.  After Paul Janish reaced first on a missed call by the first base umpire, he would steal second and then score when Phillips hit into a fielder’s choice.

The Pirates battled back in the bottom part of the inning.  They would cut the Reds lead to one on a Garrett Jones double that scored Xavier Paul.  McCutchen then brought home Jose Tabata on a single to left.  With the game tied though, Pittsburgh would have two runners thrown out at home plate.

Things feel apart in the ninth for Joel Hanrahan as he gave up three runs in the ninth as the Reds would go on to win 11-8.  This was another one of those games where the offense shows up and the pitching has a poor outing.  Hopefully the Pirates can pull it together for a afternoon game that will be airing on FOX.

Record vs. Reds:  7-3
Record vs. N.L. Central:  27-25
Record at PNC Park:  28-34
Overall Record:  58-65

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!

McDonald Roughed Up, Reds Rout Pirates

By Zane Heiple

Photo Credit: AP

The Cincinnati Reds were out for revenge Saturday afternoon, and revenge is what they got.  Cincinnati hit four home runs that accounted for nine runs on their way to an 11-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.  James McDonald had another rough outing, going only 4.1 innings, allowing six earned runs on nine hits, while walking and striking out two batters.  His record is now 0-1 and is sporting a 7.47 ERA.

Pittsburgh scored their only two runs of the game in the fourth inning.  With the bases loaded, the Reds’ Mike Leake walked Garrett Jones, allowing Neil Walker to score from third.  Ronny Cedeno tied the game with a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Pedro Alvarez.

The Reds put the game away in the fifth when they scored seven runs.  An Alvarez fielding error started the inning, allowing Miguel Cairo to reach first.  With one out and runners on second and third, McDonald intentionally walked Jay Bruce to give the Buccos a chance at a double play. 

Unfortunately, this would not come to fruition.  Juan Francisco singled, allowing, Cairo to score.  This led to a Ramon Hernandez grand slam, putting a nail in the coffin on McDonald’s day and any chance at a Pirates’ win.  With two outs and a runner on, Drew Stubbs smacked the third Reds’ homer of the day to make it a 9-2 lead.

The Red Legs added two more in the sixth inning when Jonny Gomes hit his second homer of the day, a two run shot off of the recently called up Joe Beimel, to make it an 11-2 game.

Overall, this was an awful game for the Buccos.  We know that this team will have days like this throughout the season, especially when facing a contender like the Reds.  The key now is for the Pirates to forget about it and come back tomorrow with a clean slate.  They cannot let one game turn into a five game slide like we have seen in the past.  These two teams will face off in game three of this four game series tomorrow at 1:10pm.  Jeff Karstens will make his first start of the season filling in for the injured Ross “The Boss” Ohlendorf.

Record Vs. Reds: 1-1

Record Vs. N.L. Central: 5-5

Record On The Road: 5-3

Overall Record: 6-8

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!