Pirates can’t snap losing streak, fall to Reds again

The Pittsburgh Pirates losing streak extended one more game, pushing the slump to five in a row.

Kevin Correia got the nod on the mound for the Pirates, allowing four runs (three earned) in six innings while striking out two.

Sep 11, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Kevin Correia (29) pitches during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-US PRESSWIRE

The Pirates scored first against the division-leading Reds with an Alex Presley solo home run to right-center field.  Needless to say this one run cushion was not going to get it done.  Brandon Phillips made it 1-1 with a first pitch home run in the bottom of the first.

The Reds tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the 2nd with a double by Brandon Phillips, scoring Dioner Navarro. A wild pitch by Correia allowed pitcher Mike Leake to score from third and Phillips also came home on an errant throw from catcher Michael McKenry.

The Pirates clawed back to within one run when Gaby Sanchez hit his sixth home run of the year, a pinch-hit two-run bomb in the seventh, his second since joining the Pirates.

Kyle McPherson took over for Correia, allowing a solo home run to Scott Rolen in the bottom of the eighth to push the Cincinnati lead back to two runs.  In his relief appearance McPherson allowed two hits and one run while striking out one in two innings of work.

The Pirates offense was frustrating tonight, as their 11 hits showed they were able to put the ball into play off of Leake and company.  However the Pirates were never able to capitalize, hitting into three double plays.

Andrew McCutchen went 0-for-4 dropping his batting average to .338, a season low. Rookie Brock Holt went 2-for-4, adding another mult-hit effort to his young stat line.

Reds starter Mike Leake went seven innings while allowing three runs, all earned.

The Pirates and Reds face off Wednesday in the finale of their three-game series, with ace A.J. Burnett up against Homer Bailey.