DeSclafani Struggles as the Cincinnati Reds Fall 7-2 to Pirates

The Cincinnati Reds failed to sweep the Pirates Thursday night, losing 7-2 in the final game of the series, but the final score was not evident of how close it was for the majority of the game.

It was just a one-run game going to the bottom of the seventh, but Kevin Gregg again pitched poorly to put the game out of reach for the Reds. He gave up three runs on three hits and two walks and did not make it through the seventh. Gregg’s ERA now stands at 10.13 in just 10.2 innings pitched.

Rookie right-hander Anthony DeSclafani did not have one of his better outings of the season. He went five innings, giving up three runs on seven hits and only striking out one. Many of DeSclafani’s issues tonight were related to his control, as he gave up four walks on the night. He gave up a run in the first after the first three batters reached base via a double, a single and a walk. He allowed baserunners in every inning but the second, but managed to escape trouble until the fifth. After a Neil Walker single and an Andrew McCutchen double, Starling Marte drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Bryan Price put an infield shift on Pedro Alvarez, but it failed to work as Alvarez doubled off the wall in center to drive in McCutchen.

The only offense the Reds could muster against A.J. Burnett came from the top half of the lineup. With a home run in the fourth, Todd Frazier now leads the National League in home runs with 10. Marlon Byrd extended his hitting streak to four with a triple in the sixth and Joey Votto brought him with a RBI groundout to the second baseman.

Other Notes:

Brandon Phillips continued his hot hitting on Thursday. While he’s not hitting for power, he’s making contact and it’s paying off in the stat sheet. He has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games and is 12-for-26 in his last seven games.
Votto made two outstanding defensive plays in the first that likely saved two runs. The first came on a ground ball that he threw home to get the runner. On the second play, he had to stretch toward right field while lying flat on his stomach because of a bad throw by Frazier.
Some good news out of the bullpen: J.J. Hoover pitched a perfect sixth inning and has not allowed a run in his last six appearances.
After facing all NL Central opponents up to this point, with the exception of Atlanta, the Reds will play their next 30 games against teams outside the division.

Up Next: The Reds begin their first interleague series of 2015 on Friday at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago. Jason Marquis gets the start for the Reds, while Hector Noesi toes the rubber for the White Sox. First pitch is at 8:10 ET.

DeSclafani Struggles as the Cincinnati Reds Fall 7-2 to Pirates

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