The Pittsburgh Pirates wrapped up their first series of the season Sunday afternoon at Great American Ballpark against the Cincinnati Reds. Cincinnati would get just enough offense and take advantage of the quiet Pittsburgh bats to pick up a 3-1 victory. The Reds would outscore the Pirates 13-8 over the course of the weekend.
Jason Vosler opened the scoring with a solo home run to right center in the second inning. Cincinnati plated what would be the winning run in the third when Tyler Stephenson singled to left center to plate Jonathan India. Pittsburgh got their lone run of the day in the fourth when Bryan Reynolds hit a 433 ft. solo shot to center. The Reds got that run back in the fifth on a TJ Friedl home run to right center.
Vince Velasquez started for the Pirates and worked 4.2 inning. He allowed three runs on five hits with three strikeouts and one walk. Rob Zastryzny got the final out of the fifth after allowing one hit, a walk, and striking out a batter. The sixth and seventh belonged to Wil Crowe. He would give up one hit and walk a batter during that time. Duane Underwood Jr. struck out two batters and allowed a hit while working the eighth.
Cincinnati started Graham Ashcraft this afternoon and he was pretty dominate for most of the day. Ashcraft allowed one run on four hits with a walk and six strikeouts over the course of seven innings. The Reds would use Alex Young, Derek Law, and Alexis Diaz during the final two innings. They would combine to strikeout one batter and allow two hits, with Diaz collecting the save. Most importantly for Cincinnati they kept Pittsburgh off the scoreboard.
This was not the start to the season that the Pirates hoped for, especially after getting the Opening Day win. I would have to say the biggest reason for the lack of success this series has to be the offense. Averaging just under three runs a game will not win you many ball games. Hopefully they will be able to get the bats going on Monday when they start a three-game series with the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
Record vs. Reds: 1-2
Record vs. N.L. Central: 1-2
Record on the Road: 1-2
Overall Record: 1-2
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
