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Final: Pirates 5 Reds 4
O'Neil Cruz roped a 3rd inning solo homer and broke an 8th inning tie with a sacrifice fly as the Pirates beat the Reds 5-4 before a regular season record crowd Thursday afternoon at GABP. The Reds, who took a 1-0 first inning lead, trailed 4-1 after a disastrous 4th inning, but bounced back to tie the game in the 5th inning.
Attendance: Regular season record of 44,063 at GABP.
Pitch clock can't make 'em throw strikes: The teams combined to issue 15 walks....Reds 9 Pirates 6. Time of game: 3:02.
Deciding inning: The Pirates were able to string together an 8th inning walk, steal, sac bunt and Cruz sac fly for the go-ahead run vs Buck Farmer.
Had a chance: Jonathan India lined a one-out double in the 9th. But TJ Friedl struck out and Jake Fraley struck out.
Clutch: Trailing 4-2 in the 5th, Reds 1B Jason Vosler lined a two-out, two-run game tying triple.
Greene: 3.1 IN, 5 H, 3 R, 3 BB, 8 K, 83 pitches/52 strikes
He was humming early....5 K first 9 faced. But wobbled in the 4th. He was up 0 & 2 on Cruz, was called for a pitch clock violation, got squeezed on the 1-2 pitch and then served up a HR. He wasn't happy with the ump. Austin Hedges played catch/mouse, calling time and drawing a walk. Green was constantly digging at the area of his landing spot. 44 pitches 100 mph+...including 105.
Uggggg: Greene (1) and Fernando Cruz (3) walked four straight batters in an eventful 4th inning, two with the bases loaded, adding a Cruz WP, and the Pirates scored 3 runs to take 4-1 lead.
Yikes: Cruz 0.1 3 BB, WP, R
HR: Spencer Steer, 435 feet.
On base machine: Fraley 1B, 1B, BB.
Rough day at dish: Jose Barrero 0-4, 2 K....missing more breaking balls. Will Benson 4 K, including a 2-out bases loaded K in 5th and 2-out K with tying run on in 8th.
Big outs: LH Alex Young pitched 1.2 scoreless innings, including halting the 4th inning damage by stranding runners on the corners.Derek Law retired 5 of 6 faced.
Glove work: Barrero made a nice backhand scoop and throw. Steer made a nice charging, off balance throw home to cut down a runner. Myers started a nifty 3-6 DP.
Missed early opportunity: The first three Reds batter reached to open the game, but they settled for just a run after a Tyler Stephenson DP and Vosler FO.
Missed late opportunity: Trailing 5-4 in the 8th, Wil Myers led off with a single. Steer grounded out. Stuart Fairchild pinch-ran and was gunned down on a strike 'em out, throw 'em out with Benson at the plate. Fairchild appeared to beat the tag, but the Reds lost the replay challenge.
So much for more balls in play: There were a combined 26 K and 15 BB.
Next: Nick Lodolo vs Rich Hill, Saturday