After winning five of six, Pittsburgh (59-42) was dominated in a 15-5 loss Thursday.
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Reds second baseman Brandon Phillips had a huge night Thursday, going 4 for 5 with two homers, seven RBI and two stolen bases in a 15-5 Reds bloodbath of a victory over the Pirates. “I could’ve sworn Willie Mays or Hank Aaron… somebody like that did it”, Phillips said. “I’ve been really impressed with how the guys have handled it”. “We’re just trying to finish up strong”.
Marlon Byrd also hit a three-run homer, and Jay Bruce drove in three runs with a sacrifice fly and a double as the Reds improved to 8-2 overall against the Pirates this season.
Holmberg, recalled to fill the rotation slot left vacant by Sunday’s trade of Johnny Cueto, became the sixth rookie to make at least one start for the Reds this season.
“He used his defense”, Reds manager Bryan Price said.
Deolis Guerra did not do himself any favors allowing six runs on seven hits in 1.1 innings.
Nationals 1, Marlins 0 • Max Scherzer, the former Parkway Central and Mizzou star, scattered three hits over seven innings, and Jonathan Papelbon got his first save for visiting Washington with a ideal ninth. “But he said that it was well-deserved and to keep continuing what I’ve been doing to get to this point”.
Burnett, the All-Star right-hander, lasted just 4 1/3 innings, his shortest outing this season, and fought both his command and a weakened arsenal, including a sinker that mostly sat in the high-80s.
The Pirates made two deals in less than 24 hours to upgrade what was already one of the NL’s top bullpens, acquiring Joe Blanton from Kansas City for versatility and Joakim Soria from Detroit as another setup reliever. They’re expecting Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison back from injuries for the playoff push. The good news for Pittsburgh backers, however, is that A.J. Burnett is on the hill. Phillips stole two bags, too, and Burnett walked two to load the bases before getting a strikeout and groundout to limit damage.
Burnett departed, and leadoff man Phillips greeted Guerra with a three-run blast to left. “I’m 38. That’s what I had”.
Burnett gave up a pair of singles and Byrd’s homer in the first inning.
With Guerra in, the first batter he faced, Phillips homered on a 2-2 count.
In the eighth, outfielder Jaff Decker became the first Pirates position player to pitch in a game since Travis Snyder on June 18, 2014, vs. Cincinnati.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to have difficulty with the Cincinnati Reds but might face a different-looking team Friday night.
