CINCINNATI -- After a wild Monday night, the Reds and Pirates quietly finished off their suspended game in dryer, colder conditions Tuesday at Great American Ball Park.
It did nothing to change Cincinnati's fortunes as Pittsburgh won the first game of the three-game series 8-7. The Reds, now 4-9, have now dropped the first game of all five series they have played so far this season and have yet to win consecutive games.
The two teams set a GABP record by hitting a combined 10 home runs during the first six innings played Monday night. Heavy rains eventually forced the umpiring crew to postpone play until Tuesday.
The Pirates got the eventual winning run in the top of the seventh inning off of reliever Sam LeCure on Russell Martin's two-out RBI single to center field that scored Andrew McCutchen. McCutchen doubled with one out and moved to third on a wild pitch.
The Reds had an opportunity to tie the score in their half of the inning. Ramon Santiago, who replaced Zack Cozart at shortstop as part of a double-switch, led off with a single against Pittsburgh reliever Tony Watson. He moved to second on a bunt by Billy Hamilton and then to third on a ground out to first base by Joey Votto but Brandon Phillips struck out swinging to end the threat.
The Reds left Jay Bruce stranded at second base in the eighth inning before going down in order in the ninth inning against Pittsburgh closer Jason Grilli.
