Pittsburgh Pirates Record Second Consecutive Series Victory Over Cincinnati Reds

The Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds finished their three-game weekend series at PNC Park on Sunday afternoon

On Sunday afternoon the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds by a score of 3-0. With the win, the Bucs captured their second consecutive series victory over the Reds and improved to 6-10 on the year against the Reds.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are now 65-72 on the season. Winning this series against the Reds is a great way to start the season’s final month. Hopefully, it’ll lead to a strong September that can catapult the Pirates into 2018.

Jordy Mercer got the scoring started on Sunday afternoon when he led off the bottom of the 3rd inning with his 13th home run of the season. The solo blast from Mercer gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead.

Trevor Williams wasn’t overly sharp on Sunday, but he did an excellent job of limiting damage.

Billy Hamilton singled to start the game but was then picked off second base with one out. He worked around a lead odd double by Sal Romano in the top of the 3rd inning. After the first two Cincinnati hitters reached in the top of the 4th inning he cleaned things up with a 5-4-3 double play. In the top of the 5th inning he then worked around a one-out walk by Romano.

More from Rum Bunter

• Pittsburgh Pirates Prospect Stockwatch: Outfielder Tres Gonzalez
• Pittsburgh Pirates Podcast: Rum Bunter Radio Talks Winter Meetings Fallout
• Pittsburgh Pirates: Potential Leadoff Hitters in 2023
• Pittsburgh Pirates: The Rotation is not being Improved
• Pittsburgh Pirates Make Vince Velasquez Signing Official

Joey Votto singled off Williams to start the top of the 6th inning and Eugenio Suarez added a two-out single. However, Williams then struck out Scott Schebler to end the inning.

Leading off the bottom of the 6th inning Max Moroff doubled off the Clemente Wall. Josh Bell then singled with one out to put runners on the corners. A RBI single by Jordan Luplow then made the score 2-0 Pirates.

After Elias Diaz reached on a fielder’s choice, Sean Rodriguez walked to load the bases with two outs. This brought Sal Romano’s day to an end.

Kevin Shackelford took over for the Reds after Romano was lifted. Shackelford would strike out Jordy Mercer looking to end the inning.

In 5 2/3 innings pitched Romano allowed four hits, he walked four, and he struck out a pair. He allowed two runs, the second of which was unearned due to catcher Chad Wallach failing the to catch a foul pop in Moroff’s at bat.

Trevor Williams ending his fantastic day with a 1-2-3 7th inning. In 7 shut out innings on Sunday afternoon Williams allowed eight hits, he walked one, and struck out five.

With one out in the bottom of the 7th inning the Pirate lead grew to 3-0. This was due to Starling Marte clubbing a solo home run to center field off of Tim Adleman.

Daniel Hudson took over on the mound for the Pirates in the top of the 8th inning. Jose Peraza reached on an infield hit, that should have been ruled a throwing error on Sean Rodriguez, to start the inning. Hudson then got Joey Votto to hit into a 4-6-3 double play. Hudson then struck out Adam Duvall to end the inning.

In the top of the 9th inning it was Felipe Rivero time. After walking Scooter Gennett to start the inning, Rivero recorded back-to-back strikeouts. Zack Cozart then blooped a ball to shallow center field that clanked off the glove of Max Moroff, allowing Gennett to score to cut the Pirate lead to 3-1.

After an infield hit by Phillip Ervin, Billy Hamilton came to the plate as the go-ahead run. Hamilton would draw a walk to load the bases. Jose Peraza then bounced back to Rivero to end the game.

Next: Broken Hand Ends Harrison's Season

Tomorrow afternoon at 4:05 the Pirates start a four-game series at PNC Park against the Chicago Cubs. Chad Kuhl is scheduled to start for the Bucs, while the Cubs plan to send Jake Arrieta to the mound.