Pittsburgh Pirates Get Sloppy In Latest Loss To Reds

One day after being dominated by Cincinnati Reds’ starter, the Pittsburgh Pirates had no one to blame but themselves in a 5-2 loss to the Reds Thursday night at PNC Park, the Bucs’ 10th loss in their past 13 games.

Apr 23, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton (6) doubles against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the ninth inning at PNC Park. The Reds won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

After a good start to the game that saw them take a 2-1 lead into the fifth inning, the Bucs got sloppy as they committed three errors and walked seven Cincinnati batters on the night, as they made things fairly easy for Cincinnati.

Things started out well for the Pirates as they took a 1-0 lead after the first inning.

With one aboard and two outs, Cincinnati starterAlfredo Simonwalked three consecutive batters, includingTravis Sniderto force in the first run of the game. However the Pirates let Simon off the hook whenJordy Mercerstruck out swinging, stranding three runners.

The Reds quickly tied the game at one in the second without the benefit of a hit off Pirates starterCharlie Morton.

Morton walkedRoger Bernadinato start the inning. Bernadina stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by Bucs’ catcherChris Stewart, who was a late addition into the Pirates starting lineup in place ofRussell Martin. A groundout fromRamon Santiagoplated Bernadina to tie the game.

The Bucs quickly got that run back in the third on a solo shot fromAndrew McCutchen, his fourth of the season and the third consecutive game he has homered.

But that would be it from the Pirates offense on the night.

It looked like that could be enough as Morton got in a groove, retiring the next nine Cincinnati hitters before everything changed on one pitch.

Morton hit Reds’ catcherDevin Mesoracowith a pitch to start the fifth and he never recovered as the Reds scored three runs in the inning on only one hit.

After the hit batsman, Morton walked Santiago, allowing Simon to move both runners up with a sacrifice bunt.Billy Hamiltonsingled in Mesoraco to tie the game and then made things happen with his legs. Hamilton stole second and another throwing error from Stewart allowed Santiago to score the go-ahead run. Hamilton moved to third on the throwing error and proceeded to score on aJay Brucegrounder.

That was more than enough for Simon (3-1), who allowed only the two runs on four hits through 6.2 innings of work, even though he walked five on the night.

Morton (0-3) also allowed only four hits in six innings, but his five walks came back to bite him, as he was tagged with four runs (three earned).

The Reds added an insurance run in the eighth on a groundout from Mesoraco that scored Bruce.

The Bucs didn’t amount much off the Cincinnati bullpen the rest of the game until the ninth when they had two runners on with one out, bringing the tying run to the plate. ButJonathan Broxtonrecorded his third save of the season by retiringNeil Walkerand McCutchen to end the game.

The Pirates had only six hits on the night, two apiece fromStarling Marte, McCutchen and Stewart.

The Bucs will try and salvage a split of the four-game series Thursday afternoon.Brandon Cumptonis expected to be called up from Triple-A to make the start for the Pirates in place of the injuredWandy Rodriguez. He will be opposed by the RedsTony Cingrani(1-2, 3.22 ERA).