Cincinnati Reds Drop Close One to the Pirates, 7-6

Jun 23, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Cincinnati Reds right fielder

(32) hits an RBI single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

W: Rob Scahill (2-3, 1.80)

L: Pedro Villarreal (0-2, 3.60)

SV: Mark Melancon (24)

Taking the mound for the Cincinnati Reds today, Josh Smith would be the fourth starting pitcher this year to make their big league debut, and unfortunately youth would not be served. Smith struggled with his control early on in the game, but managed to not give up any hits in the first three innings, though he did walk six batters. Smith’s shaky start was luckily backed up by the Reds’ offense, who collected nine hits and four runs in the first four innings.

More from Blog Red Machine

• Reds news: Alejo Lopez and Delino DeShields join the expanded roster
• Reds: Aristides Aquino’s stats since Player of the Month honors are awful
• 3 Reds prospects who should not be added when rosters expand
• The Reds are missing the straw that stirs the drink
• 3 early contract extensions the Reds should pursue

But any hopes of Smith tossing a no-hitter came to a screeching halt in the fourth inning when Smith walked the lead off batter, then gave up a single, an RBI double and a three-run shot that tied the game.  Bryan Price pulled Smith after only 3+ innings of work and brought in Pedro Villarreal. Villarreal quickly got two outs, but then allowed a triple to keep the Pirates alive. Starling Marte followed and reached first base on a throwing error by Eugenio Suarez, and Andrew McCutchen hit a two-run home run. When all was said and done, the Pirates had scored seven runs in the fourth inning, their only scoring inning.

The Cincinnati Reds tried to claw back for the rest of the game. In the fifth inning, Tucker Barnhart doubled and was driven in by a Billy Hamilton sacrifice fly. In the sixth inning, Jay Bruce hit his 12th home run of the year to cut the Pirates’ lead to one. Unfortunately, it would be the last run the Reds would score, and they ended the game in dismal fashion, striking out six times in a row.

Other Notes:

• Billy Hamilton collected his 32nd and 33rd stolen base of the year.
•  The Cincinnati Reds correctly challenged two plays that were ultimately overturned. Both were stolen base attempts by Gregory Polanco.
• The Reds’ bullpen allowed no earned runs with Villarreal, Carlos Contreras, Nathan Adcock and Ryan Mattheus all making appearances.
• Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto, Bruce, Suarez and Hamilton all had multi-hit games.
• Josh Smith singled in his first Major League at-bat.

Up Next: The Cincinnati Reds will look to bounce back from Tuesday’s loss. They’ll face the Pirates for game two of this three games series on Wednesday when Mike Leake faces Gerrit Cole at PNC Park at 7:05 p.m EST.

Next: Which Reds should make the All-Star team?