Reds Recap: Reds Overtake Pirates

The Cincinnati Reds had a nice day when the game winning hit was scored in the first inning. Not too much to be upset about when the Reds have the lead for the whole game. It was Billy Hamilton who got things started for the Reds in their 5-2 victory over the Pirates.

Game Summary:

The first inning started off well for the Reds. Billy Hamilton led off the game with an eight pitch walk from Pirates starter Gerrit Cole. During the next at bat with Ivan De Jesus Jr. at the plate, Hamilton would steal second base. De Jesus Jr. would then strike out. During Joey Votto’s at bat, Hamilton would then steal third base. Votto would then strike out.

All hope looked lost when Todd Frazier had two strikes on him. But Frazier did was Frazier does best. he turned into a bad ball hitter, lunged towards a perfect, pitcher’s pitch, and flared it into right field. Gregory Polanco would come charging in and attempt to make a sliding catch, but the ball would bounce off of Polanco and roll into shallow right center field. Hamilton would score and Frazier would stand at second with an RBI double, 1-0 Reds.

Jun 24, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton (6) steals second base against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Just pitches later Jay Bruce would line a double of his own into left field. It would split the outfielders and roll all the way to the wall Frazier would come around to score, and just like that the Reds were up 2-0. Then Marlon Byrd came to the plate. On the first pitch Byrd crushed a lazer into the bushes in center field, 4-0 Reds. At that was all the Reds would need.

Jun 24, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds left fielder Marlon Byrd (9) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pirates would get one back in the bottom of the second inning. With Neil Walker at third base, Pedro Alvarez would ground out to second base to drive in the run, 4-1 Reds.

The bats for both teams would remain quiet until the fifth inning. With one out Joey Votto would walk. one out later Jay Bruce would line sharply hit a ground ball against the shift but right to Jordy Mercer. The ball would eat up Mercer and Bruce reached with a single. The Marlon Byrd would drive in yet another run with a single to right field to 5-1 Reds.

Jun 24, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds left fielder Marlon Byrd (9) hits an RBI single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the fifth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The last run of the game would be scored by the Pirates in the fifth inning. With Pedro Alvarez at third base, Chris Stewart would ground back to the pitcher Mike Leake. Leake then check Alvarez back to third, but he was able to advance to the plate and score on the throw to second base, 5-2 Reds.

That would complete the scoring for the game.