Pittsburgh – Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a key triple and Rich Hill hit five runs to seal the win as the Pittsburgh Pirates extended their winning streak to six games Saturday night with a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.
The Pirates raised their record to 15-7 in their best start since 1992, the last time they won a league title. It is also Pittsburgh’s longest winning streak since 11 games in 2018.
Brian Reynolds had a sacrifice fly and two doubles, while Hayes and Tukubeta Marcano added two hits each for the Pirates.
The Reds got two hits apiece from Stuart Fairchild and Jose Barrero, but managed just six runs during their five-game losing streak.
Hill (2-2) won his second consecutive start. The 43-year-old left fielder pitched one run and struck out seven times, although he gave up six hits and three walks.
Yohan Ramirez and Duane Underwood Jr. followed Hill with two scoreless runs each to end the match. Underwood made the second save.
Luis Sessa (0-3) allowed two runs and six hits over 4 2/3 innings pitched while striking out four and walking none. It was a huge improvement over his previous start last Sunday when he struck out for nine runs in the first inning of the loss against Philadelphia and hit 11 runs and 14 total hits in three innings.
The Buccaneers took a 2-0 lead against Sesa.
Hayes’ diving triple passed Barrero, the quarterback, to lead off the first half and scored on Reynolds’ sacrifice fly. Carlos Santana and Jack Swinski hit back-to-back doubles in the fourth to make it a run.
The Reds got their run in the fifth. It wasn’t earned as Jonathan India scored when quarterback Ji Hwan Bai mishandled Fairchild’s song and was charged with a foul.
It starts late
The start was delayed 25 minutes due to the threat of inclement weather. However, it never rained during the delay.
Coach room
Reds: RHP Tony Santillan (arm fatigue) works out with Triple-A Louisville but isn’t ready to start his rehab assignment.
Pirates: RHP Chase De Jong (lumbar muscle strain) threw live hitting drills but there’s no schedule for his return.
the next
Reds RHP Hunter Greene (0-0, 4.24 ERA) made his first start Sunday since signing a $53 million, six-year contract. Green left his previous start Monday against Tampa Bay after three innings when he bruised his left shin on a return. RHB Vince Velasquez (2-2, 5.12) will play for the Buccaneers in the four-game series finale.