Mike Minor picked up his second win of the season as the Reds pulled away late from the Pirates. With the win Cincinnati took the series and ensured that they wouldn’t be in last place in the division, which is now where Pittsburgh resides all by themselves.
| Final | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Reds (48-71) |
9 | 13 | 1 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates (47-74) |
5 | 10 | 1 |
| W: Minor (2-10) L: Thompson (3-10) |
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| Statcast | Box Score | Game Thread | |||
The Offense
Jake Fraley wasted no time getting things started on Sunday, crushing a home run to leadoff the game. Two innings later he was getting things started again, this time with a walk to begin the 3rd. Two outs later he would score on a Mike Moustakas homer that gave Cincinnati a 3-2 lead.
The Reds bats went quiet for a few innings, but they came to life in the 6th. TJ Friedl and Aristides Aquino both walked and moved up a base on a sacrifice bunt by Michael Papierski. Jake Fraley followed up with two more runs batted in on the day with a single that plated both runners and extended the lead to 5-2. Jonathan India followed up with a triple to make it 6-2, and then he would score the final run of the top of the 6th on a Donovan Solano single that made it a 7-2 ballgame.
Pittsburgh closed the gap to 7-5 in the bottom of the inning. Neither team scored in the 7th, but Cincinnati added to their lead in the 8th. Once again Jake Fraley ignited the rally. He walked with one out and moved to second when Jonathan India was hit by a pitch. Donovan Solano battled through a 6-pitch at-bat and came through with an RBI single to make it 8-5. Nick Senzel capped off the scoring with an RBI single of his own to give the Reds a 4-run lead.
The Pitching
After being given a 1-0 lead, Mike Minor gave it up with a quickness as he allowed four hits in the bottom of the 1st as the Pirates jumped ahead 2-1. Minor had to work around a few baserunners over the next few innings, but he began the 6th inning with a 7-2 lead. The lefty gave up two singles and then a 2-run double before he could get out of the inning. Ian Gibaut entered the game holding a 7-4 lead with a runner on second base and promptly gave up an RBI single that cut the lead to 7-5 and closed the book on Minor’s outing – leaving him with five earned runs in 5.2 innings pitched. Gibaut would strike out Kevin Newman to end the inning.
Buck Farmer took over for Cincinnati in the 7th inning and he tossed a perfect inning to hold the lead at 7-5. He returned for the 8th and recorded two outs before Reiver Sanmartin came on for the final out of the inning. Alexis Diaz then threw a perfect 9th inning to deal the game and give the Reds a series victory.
Up Next for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds vs Philadelphia Phillies
Monday August 22nd, 7:05pm ET
Luis Cessa (3-1, 5.50 ERA) vs Noah Syndergaard (7-8, 3.95 ERA)
