Late Lead Slips Away, Reds Beat Bucs 5-4
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Two home runs were enough to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a one-run lead heading to the ninth inning, but Joel Hanrahan let it slip away.
Hanrahan came in to pitch the ninth inning with a 4-3 lead. After a leadoff single by Todd Frazier and a one-out walk by Ryan Hanigan, Ramon Hernandez singled to left field to tie the game.
Miguel Cairo followed with a single to left field to load the bases for Brandon Phillips. Hanrahan was able to get Phillips to ground out, but the go-ahead run scored on the play to put the Reds up 5-4.
It was the third blown save of the season for Hanrahan.
Ryan Doumit singled to lead off the ninth inning for Pittsburgh and Josh Harrison came in to pinch run. Harrison was caught stealing with Neil Walker at the plate.
Walker kept the Pirates alive with a double to left field and Xavier Paul advanced Walker to third with a fly out.
Brandon Wood was the last hope for the Pirates and grounded out to end the game.
Andrew McCutchen put the Pirates on the board in the first inning with a two-run homer to left-center field.
With the Reds up 3-2 in the sixth inning, Garrett Jones hit a two-run home run to right field to put the Pirates back on top.
James McDonald got the start for the Pirates and allowed three runs on three hits while walking three and striking out five in six innings of work.
His counterpart, Mike Leake, allowed four runs on five hits while walking one and striking out five in six innings.
Francisco Cordero earned his 26th save in the win.
Pittsburgh will open up a four-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park Monday night at 5:05 p.m. The teams will play a double-header Monday.
Chris Narveson (8-6, 4.49 ERA) is scheduled to take on Jeff Karstens (9-6, 3.12 ERA).
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