The Pittsburgh Pirates were lead by home runs from both Josh Harrison and Matt Joyce in their 4-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds yesterday. Juan Nicasio threw 7.0 strong innings only giving up three hits in the victory.
After losing two of three to the Cincinnati Reds in a three game series in Cincinnati, the Pittsburgh Pirates bounced back in the series opener in Pittsburgh against the Reds last night winning by a score of 4-1. They were lead by the strength of two home runs and great starting pitching in the victory.
Juan Nicasio struggled last time out and was able to bounce back last night against the Reds turning in his best start of the season. He threw 7.0 innings giving up no runs on three hits while walking one and striking out eight. He is only the second Pirates starter this season to pitch into the seventh inning of a game.
Nicasio had been wild and inefficient in his last few starts and that lead to him giving up a lot of runs. In his last start in Arizona, he was only able to pitch 5.0 innings in a loss. He only gave up two runs in the contest but it wasn't enough for the Pirates to pull out the victory.
Nicasio only walked one on The evening and was very efficient, allowing the Pirates offense to score him enough runs to win the game. He threw 95 pitches in 7.0 innings of work. If he can do that start in and start out the Pirates will have a great number five starter.
Both starting pitchers sent back and forth in the first two innings of work before the Pirates were able to break through in inning number three. Jordy Mercer started the inning with a single and John Jaso walked to give the Pirates first and second with two outs. Then David Freese came through with a two-out RBI single to give the Pirates a 1-0 lead.
The Pirates would respond again in the bottom of the fourth when Josh Harrison hit his first home run of the year, a solo home run, to increase the Pirates lead to 2-0. Harrison has had a good offensive season to this point hitting .333 in his first full season as the team's starting second baseman.
Reds starter Dan Straitly pitched very well in the loss but, like Nicasio's last start, was very inefficient. He went 5.0 innings giving up two runs on five hits while walking three and striking out five. The Pirates have been known to make starting pitchers work extra this season and it proved effective again last night.
The Pirates added two insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh. After two quick outs, Mercer singled and set the Pirates up with two outs. Then Matt Joyce hit a two-out pinch hit home run to put the Pirates up 4-0. It was Joyce's second pinch hit home run of the season and he has been thriving in a pinch hitting role.
The Reds scored their only run of the game in the top of the ninth against Arquimedis Caminero. After a single by Joey Votto and two quick outs it looked like the game was over. Then Tucker Barnhart doubled in the Reds only run of the game making the score 4-1.
Mark Melancon came in to get the final out of the game getting Scott Schelber to fly out to right field to end the game. Melancon picked up his sixth save of the season in the victory and showed how he can come in and shut down a dangerous situation.
The Pirates and Reds play game two of this three game series tonight at PNC Park. The Reds will send Alfredo Simon (0-2 16.39) to the mound and the Pirates will oppose with Francisco Liriano (1-1 4.64). First pitch for today's game will be at 7:05
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