Buc Bats Quiet Again As Reds Win 2-1

Well, the ol' Ivan made a return appearance; through six innings, he faced the minimum number of batters (and with just 63 pitches). Joey Votto's fourth-inning single was the only Reds hit, and he was caught napping by Eli, who fired a bullet to first to pick Votto off, with a very nice snag & tag by J-Bell. The Bucs supported the great effort not at all. One Pirates runner reached second in seven innings against Sal Romano. Jesse Winkler banged a leadoff homer in the Reds half - their second hit - and after a double & walk sandwiched around an out, the trainer came out to check on Ivan. He left gingerly after a brief chat with Clint and Dovydas Neverauskas came on. Chief ump Joe West sent him back rto the bullpen, and Dan Runzler then toed the slab (apparently Runzler was who Clint told Joe was replacing Ivan and Dovydas didn't get the memo). Pinch hitter Scooter Gennett, high on the list of Pirates pest, singled in a run to make it 2-0, although the Bucs did get the runner at third.

Ivan was good; Sal Romano was better (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

The Pirates continued their silence at the plate and West allowed a properly introduced Dovy to toss the eighth, which he did quietly. Kevin Shackelford, who has no saves (his last was in 2012 in Class A ball) and a 5.32 ERA, came in to close. He's still looking for that save after giving up a solo shot to Cutch and then walking Freeser with two outs. LHP Cody Reed came on to pitch against Gregory Polanco while Chris Bostick ran for David. Lots of wheel spinning to end up with a game-ending grounder to second. Judging by the results this month, the Pirates FO better focus on finding a bat or three to add to the 2018 lineup, especially if Andrew changes addresses.

Notes:

• Cutch and Eli had two hits each; the rest of the team had two raps.
• The Bucs are 68-81 and have to win their remaining 13 games to finish .500. They've lost nine of their last 10 and scored two or fewer runs in eight of those contests.
• Ivan departed from the game with right calf discomfort and is day-to-day, per the Pirates. Nova said post-game that it was tightening on him during the inning and that he expects to be able to make his last start.