Marlon Byrd homered in his third straight game, including the first two of this series, and right-hander Mike Leake helped himself with a two-out RBI double as the Reds upended the Pirates, 3-0, Wednesday night at PNC Park.
As their losing streak reached five straight, the Bucs’ biggest threat against Leake was aborted on a call by plate umpire Chris Conroy, who called out Gregory Polanco for running to first inside the baseline for the final out of the seventh inning.
Leake stretched his shutout streak to 16 innings in winning his second straight start, giving up six hits while fanning two and not issuing a walk over eight frames. For the Pirates, Gerrit Cole went five innings, only the second time since last July 6 that he did not pitch into the sixth, both against the Reds. He allowed eight hits and three runs, striking out four and walking two (both intentionally).
“They were on their game. They hit good pitches and crushed mistakes,” said Cole, who had a personal streak of eight wins dating back to last season come to an end.
Click here to read more of this story.
About Marion Online Sports
