Reds Recap: Pirates Plunder Reds

When a team scores four runs for its starting pitcher, the expectation is that the lead should be safe. Given the fact that the Cincinnati Reds were giving Josh Smith his MLB debut, you should expect some shakiness. And that is what happened. Shakiness.

Game Summary:

The Reds got off to a fast start. In the first inning they collected four straight hits to start the game. The fourth hit was by Jay Bruce. He singled through the hole on the right side. Brandon Phillips came in from third, Joey Votto and Todd Frazier both advanced to the next base, 1-0 Reds.

Jun 23, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds third baseman Todd Frazier (21) singles against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Marlon Byrd would then ground slowly to Third Base. Josh Harrison would throw to the plate, being his only play, and nab Votto out at the plate for the first out of the inning. Like Byrd, Eugenio Suarez would ground into a force out as well. Pedro Alvarez would field the ball at First Base, throw to Second Base to get Byrd out on a force play. Todd Frazier would come home to score. When Jordy Mercer would try and relay the throw back to First Base to complete the double play, the throw was wild and Jay Bruce came home on the error, 3-0 Reds.

The scoring for both teams would then halt until the Fourth Inning. In the top of the Fourth Inning, the Reds would score again. Billy Hamilton would lead off with a bunt single. He would then steal Second Base with Phillips batting. Votto would then reach by error and Frazier would walk. Bruce followed that up with his second RBI of the game when he knocked in Hamilton on a ground ball to First Base, 4-0 Reds.

Now we get the hellacious Bottom of the Fourth that made every Reds fan’s stomach turn. Josh smith started off the inning on walking Neil Walker, giving up a single to Josh Harrison and having Pedro Alvarez double to Center Field, 4-1 Reds. The game would be tied just three pitches later when Francisco Cervelli would hit a homerun to straight away Center Field, 4-4.

Jun 23, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli (29) reacts as he rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

At this point Smith was relieved of his duties by Pedro Villarreal.  Villarreal would get Jordy Mercer to ground out to short. The Pirates would then pinch hit for Jeff Locke with Jose Tabata. He would fly out to Right Field. This brought up Gregory Polanco with two outs and no one on base. He would triple to start the two out rally. Startling Marte would then reach on a throwing error by Eugenio Suarez and Polanco would score, 5-4 Pirates. Two pitches later the Pirates took at 7-4 lead on a two run bomb by Andrew McCutchen to concluded a seven run fourth inning.

Jun 23, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Cincinnati Reds during the fourth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Those would thankfully be the last runs that the Pirates would score.

The Reds would score in each of the next two innings. Billy Hamilton would drive in Tucker Barnhart on a sacrifice fly to Left Field and Jay Bruce would hit a homerun of his own in the 6th. The score would stay at 7-6 Pirates for the remainder of the game.