Once again the Pittsburgh Pirates got a brilliant performance out of their starter only to have their offense come up empty. Francisco Liriano allowed one run over six innings while striking out eleven, but the Pirates were held off the score sheet thanks to Mike Leake and three relievers.
It’s the first time the Pirates have lost back to back games since May 8th-9th, and the biggest source has been an offense that has scored one run in their last 30 innings. Despite the issues at the plate, the Pirates have gotten plenty of support on the mound.
Liriano was dealing right out of the gate.
After retiring Shin-soo Choo to start the game, Liriano went on to strike out seven consecutive batters. The streak tied a franchise record set by Erik Bedard last season against St. Louis.
In the top of the fourth, Zack Cozart broke up the no-hit bid with a single on a swinging bunt. With two outs, Brandon Phillips’s check swing single drove in Cozart from second base to give the Reds a 1-0 lead. The ball was fielded by Garrett Jones who flipped to Liriano, covering first. First base umpire Bob Davidson ruled a diving Phillips safe at first but replay showed he was clearly out.
The Reds were threatening to score in the fifth after a single by Todd Frazier and a walk from Devin Mesoraco. But three straight strikeouts from Liriano stranded both base runners.
“He was six strong and he was done after that. Wow, [Liriano] was really good. He competes out there,” said manager Clint Hurdle on his starter.
Mike Leake’s start wasn’t as dramatic, but it was just as effective. Leake gave up seven hits over six innings but rarely saw any trouble.
Unlike the night before where they were held to one hit, the Pirates had ten hits off Cincinnati but failed to string anything together to score a run.
“We couldn’t get hits at the right time. We didn’t get that big hit to move the chains and get something going,” said Hurdle.
After back to back singles in the third, Leake struck out Neil Walker and induced a flyout from Andrew McCutchen. In the sixth, the Pirates had runners on with two outs, but Pedro Alvarez grounded out on a sharply hit ball to Phillips.
Pittsburgh’s biggest chance came in the eighth when they got back to back singles from Alex Presley and Neil Walker to start the inning. But a pop out from Andrew McCutchen, a fielder’s choice that forced out Presley between home and third, and a fly out to center field stranded two more runners.
Aroldis Chapman pitched the final inning, striking out Alex Presley to end the game. Once again, the Pirates stranded two runners.
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