Kuhl Calms Reds as Bucs Collect 13 Hits In 6-0 Salvage Job

Chad Kuhl got through the first surrendering just a Joey Votto knock; the Bucs had better luck against Sal Romano. Starling and Fraze opened with knocks, with Marte coming around and Adam ending up at third after Adam Duvall launched a SCUD from left field. Cutch's grounder made it 2-0. It took a couple of deep counts, but the Reds went down quietly in the second as did Pittsburgh. The Redlegs got a leadoff rap in the third that led to no shenanigans. Four of the first five Buccos collected knocks in their half, plating two more tallies complements of Andrew and Freeser. Cincy started the fourth with a walk and a knock, but two whiffs and an at 'em ball kept the scoreboard dark. It was 1-2-3 for the Pirates. Chad picked up a couple of more fan jobs in the fifth with the added bonus of getting Billy Hamilton tossed when he was rung up on a wide one. Votto walked in the sixth; the Buccos didn't do that much.

Chad with some help from his friends snapped the skid (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

The Reds banged a seventh-inning leadoff single - if there's been one nit to pick with Chad tonight, it's that first batter reaching - but again, no damage done. Kevin Shackelford took the bump. He left with two on (one of the runners was JJ who got his first knock since God made little green apples) and one out for Wandy Peralta, who turned J-Bell around. It was a draw of sorts with the at-bat resulting in a sac fly; Freeser followed with another RBI knock. AJ Schugel claimed the slope in the eighth. He walked a guy with no consequence. Blake Wood gave up an opening double to Jordy, who likewise spun his wheels. Dovydas Neverauskas, Indy's closer until yesterday, tapped the slab for the ninth. Pumping away at 98 on the gun, he worked a clean inning with a whiff to seal the deal.

Three raps and two RBIs for Freeser (photo Pirates)

Notes:

• Starling & Freeser had three hits and Fraze & J-Bell added a pair of raps. Marte scored three runs while David & Cutch each chased home a deuce.
• Chad Kuhl went seven scoreless innings, giving up four hits and two walks with six Ks on 96 tosses. Pretty good stuff from the Cool One.
• 25,955 was tonight's attendance.