Pirates Rip Reds 14-3 & Notes

Well, so much for the no-hit streak; the Reds opened against Trevor Williams with a soft infield hit, and an out later, Joey Votto singled. But Votto misread a ball to left-center that Corey Dickerson ran down and was doubled up before he could retrace his steps to first. The Bucs got a Starling single and steal off Luis Castillo with two outs but left him aboard. It was a 1-2-3 second for the Reds. Corey-D opened with a double for Pittsburgh, and he moved up on a roller that Votto saved from becoming an infield knock. That spared Castillo some grief after Colin Moran and Jordy banged back-to-back two baggers but still left it 2-0 Buccos. Castillo is doubles-happy; he drilled one to open the third and advanced on a wild pitch. Billy Hamilton walked, followed by an infield rap. Then Votto's one-out single tied it with the runner going to third on a Starling bobble before Trevor worked out of it. Two walks around a Corey-D knock loaded the bases with two outs for Colin Moran, who must like these spots; he singled home a pair to answer the Reds.

C'mon, who had Trevor and Steven Brault at 4-0 a week into the season? (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Trevor got two quick outs in the fourth, then gave up another hit to Castillo. That led to a ball off Moran's mitt; the third hit off Williams that hit a glove and escaped. A ground ball knock to left loaded the sacks before Edward Suarez got ahead 2-0, but flew out to the right field track to end the dance. The 8-9-1 hitters for the Reds haven't been retired tonight. Castillo was at 78 pitches, so the Bucs went down in order on just six more, three of which were change ups. Trevor matched him in the fifth - six tosses, three outs. The Pirates opened with a whiff and a walk that led to no damage. With an out in the sixth, the Reds got yet another single off leather, this time a ball that Williams deflected and Jordy took on the carom but made an offline toss (it has been drizzling all night). Another ball dropped softly into center. Lotta of soft raps against Trevor tonight, but enough to bring in Edgar Santana. Cervy's quick pounce got a big out on Hamilton's swinging bunt, though the runners advanced. A 4-3 kept them there. 

Yovani Gallardo took the wet ball and gave up a shift-beating single to Red Beard and Jordy doubled him to third. Fraze couldn't bring 'em home, but a J-Hay knock plated Moran, and then Josh stole second. A pitch later, Gregory walked to load 'em up. Starling broke it open with an opp-field triple on a 3-0 pitch; Clint's been flashing the green light a lot this year and it's been working. After a walk, Austin Brice was waved in and gave up a two-run double to Corey D, who was tossed out trying to stretch it into a triple. Cervy also got a hold of one, but it died at the wall to close the frame with the good guys up 10-2. Josh Smoker took over in the seventh and tossed a clean frame thanks to a 6-4-3 DP. The Red One opened the frame with his fourth knock and Jordy followed with his third. Freeser flew out to right; the ball was dropped, but recovered in time to force Jordy at second. J-Hay knocked another run home and Gregory doubled in two more. An error let El Coffee score and Clay Holmes climbed the bump for his MLB debut in the eighth.

Jordy had three hits (two doubles) - image Pittsburgh Pirates

He started his career with a four-pitch walk, not exactly what the skipper is looking for with a 12-run lead. But Clay cleaned that up nicely by dishing out a 1-4-3 DP. That was followed by yet another infield single; the Reds have 12 hits and half haven't been hit hard enough to tousle a teddy bear. No prob; it gave him a chance to get his first big league K, punching out Phil Gosselin. Old matey Jared Hughes sprinted in (love to see him race a bullpen cart) and plunked Corey D. A walk followed, but the Buc bats were too pooped to pile on anymore. Holmes started the ninth by walking Hamilton on five pitches. He was scattershot, but got two outs before Phil Ervin singled Hamiltom home. Clay caught a 3-2 call for his second whiff and 3-1/2 hours after the start, the Bucs closed the book.

Nice to see the boys bangin' and treating the Reds, well, like they're the Reds. The fielding was still meh and the sixth-inning starting wall still stands, but we'll chalk it up to the weather. RTJR high into those gray clouds.

Notes:

• Colin Moran went 4-for-5 with three RBI and three runs scored. Corey Dickerson had three hits, plated twice and chased home a pair. Jordy also had three knocks. J-Hay had deuces across the board (two hits, two runs, two RBI) and Starling added two raps (one run, three RBI). Gregory had a hit and walk, scored twice and drove in two while J-Bell walked three times and Cervy twice. Every starting position player scored. *whew*
• Tonight's crowd (?) was announced as 11,115 paid attendance. We don't think the Bucco boycott has much to do with it; it's the Pens last regular season game and still crappy weather.
• For those wondering where the Bucco game went on MLB Network, it kicked in during the  third inning, on ice until the end of the Rockies/Braves game, which was delayed by rain.
• Nick Kingham threw five innings of one-hit, shutout ball with three walks and 10 K after 90 pitches, but Indy lost to Columbus, 11-4. Same story at Altoona as the Curve lost 7-6 despite  Dario Agrazal's six no-hit innings, with three walks and two whiffs on just 68 pitches. Sure doesn't look like the Tribe or Curve is loaded with middle relievers; must be an organizational thing.