Chris Heisey’s Walk Off Hit Lifts Reds Over Cardinals

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Apr 2, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Tony Cingrani (52) pitches during the second inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

Pinch-hitter Chris Heisey’s bases-loaded single in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Cincinnati Reds to a 1-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night in a game that was delayed more than two hours by rain at Great American Ball Park.

In the ninth, left fielder Ryan Ludwick and third baseman Todd Frazier led off with singles against Cardinals reliever Carlos Martinez and were sacrificed into scoring position on a bunt by shortstop Zack Cozart.

After catcher Brayan Pena was intentionally walked to load the bases, Heisey ripped a single to center, ending the Reds’ season-opening scoreless skid at 17 1/3 innings.

Reds left-hander Tony Cingrani allowed only two hits, walked two and struck out nine in seven innings.

Cincinnati’s offensive struggles continued after Monday’s 1-0 loss to right-hander Adam Wainwright and the Cardinals in the season opener.

On Wednesday, the Reds had the bases loaded with two outs in the fourth and a runner at third with two outs in the fifth but could not produce a run.

There was nothing wrong with Cincinnati’s pitching, however.

Cingrani allowed one hit and just two baserunners through six innings.

In the seventh, Cingrani encountered his first Cardinals threat when shortstop Johnny Peralta walked and right fielder Allen Craig singled, putting runners on first and second with one out. Cingrani got catcher Yadier Molina to fly out before fanning first baseman Matt Adams to end the inning.

The Reds’ defense preserved the scoreless tie in the eighth.

Second baseman Kolten Wong doubled with one out against reliever Manny Parra. But Ludwick made a lunging grab of pinch-hitter Shane Robinson’s line drive and Cozart made a diving catch in shallow center on third baseman Matt Carpenter’s looping liner to end the inning.

Neither starting pitcher appeared fazed by the lengthy rain delay.

Cingrani retired the first nine batters he faced with four strikeouts before Carpenter’s leadoff single in the fourth.

Wacha retired eight straight in one stretch. Although he struggled in the fourth, allowing a hit, and a walk and hitting Ludwick on the wrist to load the bases, the Reds did not score.

The teams combined for just three hits through five innings, two by Reds first baseman Joey Votto.

The two teams are back at it this afternoon at 12:35pm, time to get some sleep.