Left-hander Francisco Liriano threw six scoreless innings and the Pirates used a third-inning balk and a blast to beat the Reds, 7-3, on Tuesday night at Great American Ball Park.
The Pirates’ 82nd win of the season — a figure that would have been celebrated wildly only a few years ago — clinched their third straight winning season and brought them within 4 1/2 games of the Cardinals in the National League Central. They also maintained a two-game lead over the Cubs in the NL Wild Card standings.
“It’s good. That was cool like two years ago for us, ‘Hey, a winning season.’ We’ve got bigger fish to fry,” Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen said. “We’re still moving to try to make the playoffs and keep going from there.”
Liriano struck out 10, held the Reds to three hits and a walk, and chipped in at the plate with two hits of his own. Pittsburgh has won 12 of his last 13 starts.
“He’s tough to hit,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.
Meanwhile, the Pirates made short work of Reds rookie right-hander Raisel Iglesias, scoring five runs in the third inning. McCutchen drove in three with a homer to right field. With Jung Ho Kang on third base, Iglesias balked in the final run of the inning.
Iglesias, who entered the night with a streak of seven quality starts, gave up six hits and a walk while striking out four over three innings, and the Reds lost to the Pirates for only the fifth time in 15 meetings this season.
Click here to read more of this story.
About Marion Online Sports
