Ho Hum, Pirates Drop Another One to Reds, 4-1

Michael Lorenzen put the Bucs away in order, but Big Joe didn't have much of a start. Three singles, a walk, a bopped batter and sac fly made it 3-0 in a hurry. It was 1-2-3 for the Pirates in the second; Tucker Barnhart homered and the Reds stranded a double in their half. Tuck led off the third with a knock but never advanced past first. Joe settled in and worked a clean frame. Ke'Bryan Hayes smacked a double and Redbeard singled him home through the shift in the fourth; J-Bell followed with another knock, but they were left on the pond. Musgrove limited the Redlegs to a two-out single. Pittsburgh had nothing goin'  on in the fifth. Joe struck out the side; he has eight K to go with his four runs. 

J-Bell seems to be figuring it out, anyway - photo Pgh Pirates

Tejay Antone took over in the sixth and left a leadoff walk aboard. Blake Cederlind made his first Bucco appearance and tossed a routine frame, showing upper-90's heat and a 90 MPH slider. Lucas Sims flipped a 1-2-3 seventh and Derek Holland, in relief of Cederlind, did the same. Sims gave up a Gonzo two-bagger but no runs in the eighth. Dutch Oven tossed another clean frame. Amir Garrett got the ball in the ninth. Redbeard smoked an out to center, then the next three Buccos took the count full, with J-Bell & Gregory walking and Tuck fanning. Kevin Newman hit for JT Riddle, and his fly to right ended it.

Another day, another loss.

Notes:

• J-Bell was the only Buc to reach twice on a knock and walk; the Pirates had five hits on the night.
• At 173 runs, Pittsburgh has the lowest-producing offense in MLB. They're 27th in BA (.222) and last in slugging % (.351).
• This was JT Riddle's first MLB game at second base, although he did play it a little in the minors.
• The smoky air quality in Seattle postponed tonight's game between the Mariners and Giants.