Led by 7 1/3 strong innings from right-hander Anthony DeSclafani and aided by four Pirates errors, the Reds continued their season-long mastery of the Bucs with a 3-1 win Monday afternoon at Great American Ball Park.
With the loss, the Pirates remained 5 1/2 games behind the first-place Cardinals in the National League Central standings, but their lead over the Cubs for the first NL Wild Card spot shrank to two games — with Chicago defeating St. Louis, 9-0, on Monday.
DeSclafani held the Pirates to one run on seven hits and struck out six, and the Reds gave him all the support he needed in a three-run second inning in which the Bucs committed a pair of costly errors. It was DeSclafani’s team-leading 16th quality start of the season, his seventh in his last nine outings, and improved the Reds’ record against the Pirates this season to 10-4.
“The difference-maker for me these last few games was the curveball,” said DeSclafani, who improved to 8-10 with a 3.75 ERA in 27 starts. “It’s probably the best it’s been all year these last few games. It’s kind of been the equalizer for me.”
Left-hander Jeff Locke fell victim to the Pirates’ season-high-tying four errors, as only one of the three runs he allowed was earned. Locke lost his second straight start, striking out six and walking two over five-plus innings.
Click here to read more of this story.
About Marion Online Sports
