Brandon Phillips Leads Reds Past Pirates in 13

Wednesday nights game wasn’t a must win for the Cincinnati Reds but it would sure help morale and the divisional standings if the

Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

Reds could come out on top. The game though didn’t look like it was going end well for Cincinnati. Both pitchers threw incredible games. The bullpens for both teams did great, it was truly a pitchers battle Wednesday night at GABP that resulted in a 2-1 win for the Reds.

The Pirates jumped on the Reds and Bronson Arroyo early getting an early 1 run lead off an error by Arroyo. The ball was hit back to the mound by Pirates catcher Russell Martin, the ball bounced off Arroyo’s glove and through his legs allowing Starling Marte to score.

After that third inning though it was relatively silent in terms of scoring. Zach Cozart had a chance at scoring if he had stopped at third, instead third base coach Chris Speier waved Cozart home. The problem was he had to see the right fielder already had the ball and as the third base coach you have to know Cozart doesn’t have wheels. Instead he should have held Cozart and taken a chance hoping someone can drive him in.

Other than that the first 8 innings were relatively uneventful for the Reds. The team did leave 10 runners on base. That is a growing problem for the team, at some point they have to figure out how to drive more than two runs in.

The ninth inning though every thing changed for the Reds. Jay Bruce came to the plate and absolutely belted the first pitch from Pirates pitcher Jason Grilli. Bruce sent the game tying run 425 feet into the moon deck. That tied the game at 1-1 and sent the Reds to extras for the 13th time this season.

In extras the bullpen really came through for the Reds. Aroldis Chapman came in and dominated once he found the strikezone. Same LeCure found his form and went two innings for the team. Manny Parra actually got the win! He has turned the corner, maybe.

The Reds finally came through in the 13th behind the bat of Brandon Phillips. With bases loaded Phillips came up and singled into center driving home Derrick Robinson. From there the rest is history.

The Reds remain 2.5 games behind the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals never lose apparently but the Reds are the second best team in baseball at the moment. The problem is the best team in baseball is in the NL Central as well. Three of the top 5 teams in baseball are in the NL Central, making it the most competitive and frustrating league in baseball.

The Reds and Pirates return to GABP on Thursday for a businessman’s special. Homer Bailey is going for the Reds while Brandon Cumpton makes his second start of the year for the Pirates.