Photo: Getty Images
Reds 7 Pirates 3
It certainly took a while, but the Reds won their first series of the season taking 2 of 3 vs the Pirates at GABP. It was their 9th series of the season (1-7-1).
It was the first time the Reds have comeback from a deficit to win this season. The Reds are now 5-23 overall.
Offense: After not scoring more than six runs in a game in their first 25 games, they scored 9 in Game 1 Saturday and 7 on Sunday. They scored 21 runs in the three game series after totaling 20 runs on the six-game road trip.
Moran, the man: 1B Colin Moran hit a go-ahead grand slam in the 6th inning and added a two-run shot in the 8th inning for a six RBI day,
Big blow: Trailing 2-0 to the 6th, the Reds exploded for five runs in the inning. Pirates reliever Dillon Peters entered the game with a scoreless streak of 16.2 innings on the season. He allowed a hit and three walks, forcing in the first run while not retiring a batter. Heaaaaaaath Hembree took over and promptly served up a meatball grand slam to Moran to give the Reds a 5-2 lead.
Good AB: Tommy Pham came off the bench to PH in the 6th and drew a bases loaded walk vs Peters to force home the first run of the five run inning.
Good news/bad news: Tyler Mahle threw a ton of pitches early, and wound up tossing a season high 106 in five innings. But he allowed just one hit, a two-run homer to Michael Perez in the 2nd inning. 5 IN, 1 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 6 K, 106 pitches/63 strikes.
Silenced: Pirates starter Zach Thompson entered the game with a 9.39 ERA. He shutout the Reds on 2 hits and 0 walks in five innings of work.
Yikes: Kyle Farmer is now 0 for his last 31. He did line out hard to left field, but also looked woeful in a bases loaded at-bat that ended in a K in the 7th.
Speed/athleticism: Albert Almora Jr. had a single, stole a base and a double. TJ Friedl beat out a two-strike bunt for a hit. He also added a nice sliding catch in RF.
Pen work: Art Warren tossed two scoreless innings, striking out the side in the 6th. Dauri Moreta served up a HR to Brian Reynolds in the 8th to make it 5-3. Moreta allowed 2 runs and a HR in 0.1 innings as the 'opener' on Saturday. Hunter Strickland finished off the 9th inning.
Donut: Reds No. 3--through-6 hitters were a combined 0 for 11.