Zack Cozart’s double secures 4-3 win for Cincinnati Reds against Pittsburgh Pirates – MLB News
Johnny Cueto tossed seven solid innings on Sunday, September 30 and Zack Cozart had a go-ahead double in the ninth to help Cincinnati Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3 at PNC Park.
Although the Reds secured victory, Cueto, much to his chagrin, could not become the Reds first 20-game winner in 24 years.
Reds ended the season, though, with an impressive 96-63 record, making headway to the postseason games. With 96 wins, the Reds also had a National League tie with the Washington Nationals.
It was pinch hitter Xavier Paul who smashed a homer to tie the score in the ninth, followed by Zack Cozart’s go ahead double that paved the way for the Reds’ victory. Aroldis Chapman had his 37th save of the season with his scoreless ninth.
"It was a big win for us because we want to get home-field advantage," Cozart said. "It seems like we kind of lull through games a lot then turn it on at the end. That's how it was today."
Wandy Rodriguez of Pirates allowed two runs in his six innings. It was Joey Votto who scored the first run in the third followed by Todd Frazier’s run that doubled the Reds’ lead. However, Garrett Jones who hit a two-run homer in the third and Andrew McCutchen came with a single to left to take the Pirates lead to 3-2.
Paul’s homer and go ahead double of Cozart shattered every dream of a Pirates’ victory.
It was a disappointing experience for Cueto, who could not become the Reds second starter to attain 20 wins in a single season. The last time was Reds' Danny Jackson who had achieved this milestone.
However, Cueto maintained his composure, expressing happiness with the 19 wins that he managed to have in the season.
"I could have kept going, but it was the manager's decision and he decided to take me out," Cueto said. "I felt good. God willing, I would have liked to have had 20 but I got 19 and that's a pretty good number, too."
With the win, the Reds will now play the final series of the regular season against the St. Louis Cardinals where they will have opportunity to edge past the Nationals with over 96 wins in the season.
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