Cincinnati Reds outrival the Pittsburgh Pirates with 5-3 win – MLB News
Brandon Phillips hit a solo homer on Tuesday, September 11, to endow 5-3 win over the Cincinnati Reds against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Great American Ball Park. The Reds came down hard on the Pirates, handing them their fifth consecutive loss.
While Mike Leake remained impressive with his seven solid innings, it was Phillips whose blitz played a key role in bringing about the victory the Reds were looking for, coming ever closer for National League Central title.
"I'm trying to get to 100 wins and the No. 1 seed," Phillips said, referring to the playoffs. "A hundred wins would be nice. A hundred wins would be a beautiful thing. I think it would be a great accomplishment."
Pittsburgh Pirates' starter Kevin Correia was subject to big hits as he gave up four runs, coupled with seven hits, in his six innings on a 4.29 ERA.
Correia, nonetheless, emphasised the need to keep fighting as the once favourite candidate for the Wild Card is struggling massively.
"We've had some opportunities," Correia said. "We're getting close. But we've got to just keep fighting. We're not on a good run right now, but it can very easily turn around with one game. I think everybody knows that."
The Pirates had a seemingly good start in the first inning with Alex Presley’s homer to right. But Brandon Phillips levelled the score in the bottom of first and then doubled to left to make it 2-1 for the Reds.
Mike Leake scored following the wild pitch by Correia, allowing Phillips to score afterwards with Michael McKenry’s error when the latter threw it to the plate. That took the score to 4-1 for the Reds by the end of the second inning.
Leake then pitched well until the seventh when Gaby Sanchez hit a two run in the left, bringing the Reds lead down 4-3.
But Scott Rolen did what was needed in the eighth, smashing a homer to give a decisive 5-3 lead to the Reds. Jonathan Broxton had his 24th save of the season as he pitched a scoreless ninth to end the game with a 5-3 win for the Reds.
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