Pirates rock Cody Reed, defeat Reds 7-3

The Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game

Scooter Gennett continues to have himself a fantastic season. After cooling off a bit in July, he has come roaring back in the late-Summer months. He hit .318/.357/.458 in the month of August and has started off September even hotter. After homering in the game yesterday, he added 2 more to his total today and continues to be one of the Reds’ offensive leaders this season. In all, he went 2 for 4 with those 2 solo home runs. Have another trophy, Scooter.

Honorable mentions are due to: Scott Schebler, for going 2 for 4 on the night and Matt Wisler, for striking out 2 in a scoreless inning of relief.

Key Plays

• The Pirates got to Cody Reed early and often in this game. Adam Frazier (of course) started things off in the bottom of the 1st with a 1-out double and then moved to 3rd on a single by Gregory Polanco. That brought up Francisco Cervelli, who singled on a grounder to left to bring in Frazier. Thankfully, the inning ended when Jose Osuna smoked a liner at Eugenio Suarez, who promptly caught it and doubled off Polanco at 2nd. Pirates led, 1-0.
• Pittsburgh was able to grow its lead in the bottom of the 3rd. Starling Marte hit a single with 1 out and then moved to 2nd on a walk by Adam Frazier. Gregory Polanco then doubled to right to bring in both runners. An infield single put Francisco Cervelli on first, and then both runners moved up to 2nd and 3rd on a double-steal. A Jose Osuna sac-fly brought in Polanco and the Pirates led, 4-0.
• The Pirates weren’t done. In the bottom of the 4th, Pablo Reyes hit an infield single. He moved to 2nd on a sacrifice bunt, but the bunt wouldn’t matter because Starling Marte hit a 2-out dinger to right-center to extend the lead to 6-0.
• The Reds tried to mount a rally in the top of the 7th and were able to get a couple runs back. Scooter Gennett hit a solo shot with 1 out to get things going. After singles by Eugenio Suarez and Scott Schebler and a walk by Tucker Barnhart loaded the bases, Phillip Ervin was hit by a pitch to bring in Suarez. Unfortunately that was all the Reds could muster out of the situation and the Pirates still led, 6-2.
• Scooter Gennett was able to help the Reds cut even further into the lead with another solo dinger in the top of the 8th. Pirates led, 6-3.
• The Pirates were able to add one more run in the bottom of the 8th off reliever Michael Lorenzen and the Reds were unable to come back. Pirates win, 7-3.

Tony Graphanino

Other Notes

• Cody Reed wasn’t great today, finishing with a final line of: 5 IP, 9 H, 6 ER, 1 BB, 2 K. Hopefully he still gets another shot in the rotation, considering how well he pitched before this outing.
• Gabriel Guerrero made his Major League debut as a pinch-hitter in the 6th. Unfortunately, he struck out. You’ll get ‘em next time.
• John Fay of The Enquirer caught up with Reds’ interim manager Jim Riggleman before the game to ask him about Homer Bailey making tomorrow’s start. Riggs had a few...interesting...things to say about the situation.
• Homer is, by the way, making tomorrow’s start against the Pirates as the Reds try to avoid the sweep. He will be facing off against Jameson Taillon. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM ET.
• Tunes.