Reds Comeback To Beat Pirates 6-5

The biggest win of the season? That is the question Reds fans are asking Friday night after the Cincinnati Reds tied the game up in

Sep 20, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier (left) and pinch runner Billy Hamilton (6) celebrate after both players scored to tie the score against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Cincinnati Reds won 6-5 in ten innings. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

the 9th and won in the 10th 6-5 over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

A dramatic 9th inning led the Reds to victory as the team scored 3 runs in the top of the 9th to tie the game up. With help from JJ Hoover who sent the game to extras with his 1-2-3 inning. A 10th inning home run from Joey Votto would give the Reds the lead, Aroldis Chapman took over in the bottom of the 10th and the rest as they say is history.

A tumultuous 9th inning for the Pirates stared with a Ryan Ludwick single to right field. Todd Frazier was up next, he reached second on an error by Pirate short stop Jared Mercer who sent his throw into the dugout advancing the runners two bases scoring Ludwwick. Zach Cozart would come up next singling to center advancing Frazier to third.

Cozart would be replaced with Billy Hamilton at first. Hamilton has been stellar in his appearances for the Reds since his call up. Friday night it was much of the same with catcher Devin Mesoraco at the plate Hamilton stole his 10 base in a row this season. Mesoraco would the work Pirates pitcher Mark Melacon to the limit finally getting a hit at the third baseman Pedro Alvarez who couldn’t field the ball allowing Mesoraco to reach first but more importantly allowing Frazier and Hamilton to score tying the game up 5-5.

In the 10th inning Joey Votto sent a home run into the first row in the corner of left field. Much of the night Votto was criticized for not being clutch, can’t get much more clutch than that. The 6-5 lead would be all the Reds would need.

Mat Latos was on the mound for the Reds tonight. Latos did not have his great stuff tonight but he went 6IP, allowing 8H, 4ER. “Mat didn’t have his normal stuff tonight but he kept us in the game, that’s what we needed” said manager Dusty Baker after the win.

While Latos struggled Pirates pitcher Francisco Liriano went 8IP strong, striking out 7. According to Pirates manager Clint Hurdle Liriano asked out of the game after 8 innings pitched, a very curious decision by the veteran.

Reds closer Aroldis Chapman came in for the 10th inning recording his 38th save of the season after a 1-2-3 inning.

There was one tense moment in the game after pitcher Sam LeCure hit Pirates outfielder Andrew McCuctchen in the 8th inning. Pirates manager Clint Hurdle ended up getting tossed from the game for arguing with the umpire. Both benches were warned. What Pirates fans and Hurdle have to understand is why would LeCure put a fast base runner on in the 8th while the Reds were looking to make a comeback. It was an accident, something many Pirate pitchers can’t say.

With their win tonight the Reds are now tied for second in the NL Central, if St. Louis loses tonight Cincinnati will be 1.5 games back of the Cardinals. The chance to win the Central is still alive.

Cincinnati sends Homer Bailey to the mound saturday night to face AJ Burnett for the Pirates. Game time is 7:05pm, FSOHIO.