PITTSBURGH 3 – CINCINNATI 1
Win Jeff Locke (1-1)
Loss: Alfredo Simon (0-1)
Save: J. Grilli (5)
After a 1-5 start, the Pittsburgh Pirates (5-6) have won four of five games, defeating the Cincinnati Reds (5-6) 3-1 tonight at PNC Park.
In a pitching matchup featuring Jeff Locke vs Reds Ace Johnny Cueto, it was Locke and the Pirates who would come out on top.
Locke who won for only the second time in three Major League seasons, allowed 4 hits and 1 run in five innings pitched. Locke walked four batters, had no strikeouts and threw only 45 strikes on 87 pitches but the Reds were not able to make him pay. Locke had 11 ground ball outs in five innings.
Cueto was pitching well allowing 2 hits and one run through four innings, but left the game in the fifth inning with a right strain triceps injury. Alfredo Simon replaced Cueto in the fifth with one out and the Pirates got to him as Travis Snider reached base on a single and Clint Barmes singled to center. Two batters later Starling Marte delivered a 2-out RBI single, scoring Snider as the Pirates took a 2-1 lead.
Jose Tabata would add some insurance with a pinch hit 2-out RBI single in the seventh, scoring Pedro Alvarez to push the Pirates lead to 3-1.
Relievers Justin Wilson, Jared Hughes, Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli combined to pitch four shutout innings preserving the Pirates lead. Melancon again threw a 1-2-3 eighth inning picking up his 4th hold of the season and Jason Grilli notched his 5th save in five chances.
Notes: Phil Irwin will make a spot start Sunday afternoon vs the Reds.