Cincinnati Reds Win Again, Beat Pirates 2-1

Apr 24, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Votto (19) and third baseman Todd Frazier (21) celebrate scoring after Reds left fielder Ryan Ludwick (not pictured) hit a double against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at PNC Park. The Reds won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Three in a row, that is the win streak for the Cincinnati Reds after another win against the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday afternoon. Cincinnati rode Tony Cingrani and Ryan Ludwick to a 2-1 victory.

Cincinnati made it back to a .500 record Thursday, sitting at 11-11 after 22 games is vastly better than many thought. The main reason for this comeback if you will is the phenomenal starting pitching for the Reds this season. Thursday they got another good outing from Cingrani.

Cingrani (2-2) went 6 innings strong, allowed 6 hits, 1 earned run while striking out 7 Pirates batters. A high pitch count led to Cingrani being pulled after 6 innings putting the game in the hands of the bullpen. A bull pen that has been shaky at best this season.

On Thursday though, the bullpen looked as stout as they ever had. Logan Ondrusek came in for the 7th inning, threw 10 pitches recorded 3 outs. Sam LeCure came in for the 8th, dominated all three batters with three strikeouts on 11 pitches. Then Jonathan Broxton came in for the save in the 9th and like the other two relievers recorded all three outs on 12 pitches. A dominating performance from the pen on Thursday.

In the 6th inning the Reds offense came to life. Trailing 1-0 going into the 6th Joey Votto led off, after being hit by a pitch Brandon Phillips grounded out advancing Votto to second. Jay Bruce went down swinging, then Todd Frazier was hit by a pitch bringing Ryan Ludwick to the plate. Ludwick belted one to deep center for a double that scored Votto and Frazier giving the Reds a 2-1 lead. That’s all they would need.

The Reds have now won their last three series, and have pulled themselves back up to .500. Cincinnati is in the middle of a 17 game streak without a day off. Cincinnati travels to Atlanta tonight for a weekend series against the Braves. Homer Bailey will be on the mound Friday night for the Reds.