Pirates beat Reds 6-0 in series finale

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Joey Votto was the only Cincinnati Reds hitter to reach base more than once on Thursday in the series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates. In classic Votto fashion, he didn’t just reach base once - he did so thrice.

Votto singled and walked twice, and while that’s far from an out-of-the-ordinary performance from the Cincinnati 1B, it was far and away the best outing from a bat on the day.

Honorable Mentions are due to: Sal Romano, who at least pitched his way through 6 innings; and Jesse Winker, who walked - which is glorious.

Key Plays

• The Pirates scored twice in the Bottom of the 1st to take an early 2-0 lead, though Cincinnati’s defense played a part. Starling Marte singled to open the inning, and he scored a batter later on Adam Frazier’s single when Adam Duvall’s attempt to nail the runner at 3B went awry. Frazier scooted to 3B as the ball kicked around the wall, which allowed him to score a batter later on Andrew McCutchen’s productive groundout.
• Pittsburgh added another pair in the Bottom of the 4th off Sal Romano, again following a leadoff hit by Marte - this one a double. He advanced to 3B on a Romano wild pitch before scoring on a McCutchen bloop single into RF, and back to back seeing-eye singles then scored McCutchen, too. Reds trailed, 4-0.
• Romano exited after the Bottom of the 6th, which put Kevin Shackleford on the mound for the Bottom of the 7th. That went...poorly. Shack loaded the bases before getting a single out, and he exited after getting a K of McCutchen with the bases still loaded. Wandy Peralta then took over and allowed a sac-fly for a run as well as an RBI single by David Freese, and the Reds trailed, 6-0.
• That, unfortunately, was the end of the scoring. Reds lose, 6-0.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• Sal Romano pitched OK, though his line didn’t exactly reflect it. He made it through 6 IP and allowed 4 ER, though there was ample bad defense and softly hit singles that helped do him in. On the plus side, he didn’t issue a single walk, and he did K 3 in his 102 pitches.
• Anthony DeSclafani was making his second rehab start with Class A Dayton tonight, which was supposed to be awesome news. Unfortunately, he got shelled early and often and eventually was removed with a potential injury. The Reds later announced that he was dealing with “discomfort” in his right forearm. GAHHHHHHHH.
• Billy Hamilton got tossed for arguing balls and strikes after striking out looking on 3 pitches in the Top of the 5th.
• The Reds will head home late Thursday so they can open a weekend series at GABP on Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals. First pitch is early, however - a 6:40 PM ET start time - so make sure you prepare accordingly. Mike Leake will be back in town to start for the Filthy Cards, and he’ll be opposed by Asher Wojciechowski in his return to the starting rotation.
• Hoping Disco’s Elbow Is as Good as This Disco Baseline Tunes.