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Pirates 4 Reds 3
The Reds snapped a 24 inning scoreless streak Thursday night at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, but three run were not enough as the Pirates took Game 1 of series 4-3. The Reds have lost three straight in falling to 7-12, including 1-6 in one run games. The Pirates are now 13-7.
The Pirates managed just one hit after the first inning. The time of game was 2 hours and 9 minutes.
The Pirates pounced on Luke Weaver, making his season and Reds debut, for four runs in the 1st inning. With two outs in the inning, and a strike away from escaping trouble, Connor Joe jacked a full-count pitch for a three-run homer and Jack Suwinsky followed with a solo shot that gave the Pirates a 4-0 lead.
Scoring run: The Pirates four run 1st inning meant opponents had outscored the Reds 23-0 going back the 9th inning of Monday night's game.
Luke Weaver: 6 IN, 4 H, 4 R, 2 BB, 8 K, 2 HR, 93 pitches/54 strikes. Things looked really, really bleak in the first inning. But he settled in to toss five more innings without allowing a run. He retired the final 10 batters he faced. The 8 K's were the most in an appearance by Weaver since April of 2021.
Look at the bright side: Weaver's 6.00 ERA is sure better than the other No. 4 and No. 5 starters the Reds have run out there this season...Connor Overton (11.45), Luis Cessa 13.50) and Levi Stoudt (15.75).
Handled: The Reds were flummoxed by Pirates SP Roansy Contreras... 6.2 IN, 5 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 9 K, 93 pitches/60 strikes.
Hey! A run! The Reds broke a 24 inning scoreless streak on a Jason Vosler two-out RBI single in the 7th.
Rally time: Three straight hits to start the 8th produced a run and pulled the Reds within 4-2 with 0 outs in the 8th. Jonathan India (3 hits) singled in Barrero (1B) to make it 4-2 in the 8th. A double steal by India and Friedl (1B) put runners at 2nd and 3rd with 0 outs. Spencer Steer lifted a sac fly to make it 4-3.
With the potential tying run on 3rd and infield in, Jake Fraley grounded out to 3rd for the 2nd out and Tyler Stephenson struck out.
What can go wrong, will: The Reds attempted a hit and run in the 6th inning. TJ Friedl struck out and Jonathan India was called out at 2nd on batter interference by Friedl.
Rally killer: Trailing 4-0 in the 7th, the Reds put the first two batters on, only to have Pirates 3B Ke'Bryan Hayes turned a stellar around the horn DP from the seat of his pants.
Remember him? Former Reds 1st round pick, 30-year old Robert Stephenson ('11) came out of the bullpen for the Pirates in the 7th.
Offense: Jake Fraley singled, walked and stole a base. He entered the game 1 for his last 19. Stephenson 2B, BB.