PITTSBURGH — Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a key triple and Rich Hill acquired by way of 5 innings for the win because the streaking Pittsburgh Pirates prolonged their successful streak to 6 video games Saturday night time with a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
The Pirates raised their file to 15-7 for his or her finest begin since 1992, the final time they received a division title. It can be Pittsburgh’s longest successful streak since an 11-game run in 2018.
The Pirates are coming off consecutive seasons of at the least 100 losses and have completed final within the NL Central 4 years in a row.
“I think it’s a considerable difference (from last year), the fact that we’re finding ways to win games,” supervisor Derek Shelton mentioned. “We had talked about it over the last couple years: With young teams, they have to find ways to win like that.”
Bryan Reynolds had two doubles and a sacrifice fly, whereas Hayes and Tucupita Marcano added two hits every for the Pirates.
The Reds acquired two hits apiece from Stuart Fairchild and Jose Barrero however have managed simply six runs throughout their five-game dropping streak.
PHOTOS: Pirates run successful streak to six with 2-1 victory over Reds
Hill (2-2) received his second consecutive begin. The 43-year-old lefty pitched one-run ball and struck out seven, although he gave up six hits and three walks.
“The ball didn’t come out of my hand the way I wanted to all night,” Hill mentioned. “It’s one of those games that you put in the bucket of, you know, find a way to get the team through five and keep the team in the game. That’s really what that outing entailed.”
Yohan Ramirez and Duane Underwood Jr. adopted Hill with two scoreless innings every to complete the sport. Underwood earned his second save whereas subbing for nearer David Bednar, who was rested after pitching on back-to-back nights.
“Our motto in our bullpen is next man up,” Underwood mentioned. “You always need to be ready to pitch in any situation, in any role whenever (Shelton) calls your name.”
Luis Cessa (0-3) allowed two runs and 6 hits over 4 2/3 innings whereas placing out 4 and strolling none. It was a significant enchancment over his earlier begin final Sunday when he was rocked for 9 runs within the first inning of a loss to Philadelphia and 11 runs and 14 hits total in three innings.
“I was being aggressive in the zone,” Cessa mentioned. “That’s a key for me, to stay aggressive in the zone with all my pitches – fastball, slider, changeup. Really good things happened today. It was better for sure than my last outing.”
The Pirates took a 2-0 lead in opposition to Cessa.
Hayes tripled previous a diving Barrero, the middle fielder, to guide off the primary inning and scored on Reynolds’ sacrifice fly. Carlos Santana and Jack Suwinski hit back-to-back doubles within the fourth to provide a run.
The Reds acquired their run within the fifth. It was unearned as Jonathan India scored when middle fielder Ji Hwan Bae mishandled Fairchild’s single and was charged with an error.
STICKING AROUND
Shelton’s contract was prolonged by the Pirates previous to the sport after it had been set to run out on the finish of the season. The crew didn’t specify the size of the extension.
Shelton entered the season with a 142-242 file over three years, together with seasons of 101 and 100 losses the previous two years.
STARTING LATE
The begin was delayed 25 minutes due to the specter of inclement climate. However, it by no means truly rained in the course of the delay.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Reds: RHP Tony Santillan (arm fatigue) is understanding with Triple-A Louisville however just isn’t prepared to start a rehab project.
Pirates: RHP Chase De Jong (lumbar backbone muscle pressure) threw dwell batting follow however there isn’t any timetable for his return.
UP NEXT
Reds RHP Hunter Greene (0-0, 4.24 ERA) makes his first begin Sunday since signing a $53 million, six-year contract. Greene left his earlier begin Monday in opposition to Tampa Bay after three innings when he sustained a bruised left tibia on a comebacker. RHP Vince Velasquez (2-2, 5.12) will pitch for the Pirates within the finale of the four-game collection.
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