Three Run Homers and Unclutch Hitting Send Bucs To 7-2 Defeat

Rookie Davis tossed a nine-pitch first but not so for Jameson Taillon. With a walk and a knock aboard with two away, Eugenio Suarez took one just deep enough to claim a GABP dinger and make it 3-0, a bad first-inning habit Bucco pitchers seem to be forming of late. A one-out knock from J-Bell, a double from Elias and a walk to Jordy loaded ‘em up in the second. Gift and JT couldn’t cash them in, and golden opportunity #1 was down the tubes. The Reds had a leadoff hit go for naught. Josh led off the third with a double and moved to third on Cutch’s loud fly-out to right. Gregory walked with two away and stole second; J-Bell’s pop up left them stranded. The Reds returned the favor, leaving Joey Votto and Adam Duvall on second and third.

Jordy’s one-out double was followed by a Gift walk in the fourth and JT bunted them up. J-Hay got plunked to fill the bags with Buccos but JJ fanned. The Pirates have left eight on in the past three innings. The Reds didn’t waste their chance; a single, HBP and Billy Hamilton homer made it 6-0. The Bucs didn’t leave anyone on in the fifth; a DP grounder took care of that, and the Redlegs copied the playbook in their half, erasing their leadoff knock via the ol’ 6-4-3. Cody Reed took the ball in the sixth and issued back-to-back walks with an out; Jose Osuna pinch-hit into a double play. Trevor Williams climbed the hill and Devin Mesoraco greeted him with a long ball; at least this one was a solo shot.

The Bucs got something back in the seventh when Alen Hanson walked and trotted home ahead of Andrew, who joined the HR parade with a missile launch to left. Trevor walked a couple Redlegs but it didn’t haunt him. Drew Storen climbed the hill and tossed a 1-2-3 frame. Tony Watson took the ball to break a sweat after a week layoff and stranded a leadoff two-bagger with a pair of whiffs. Raisel Inglesias put it to bed in the ninth.

Earl Weaver called the Red attack tonight; three-run homers will kill you. And for the Bucs, five hits won’t do it even with seven walks and a bop. A one-station-at-a-time offense led to 10 stranded runners, a pair of DP balls, and another 0-fer RISP night. Jameson is still just a pup, and it’s showing lately as the punch-counter punch lessons of an MLB pitcher are being taught. His control has been a little erratic so far this year, and location is the coin of the realm.

Tomorrow is an afternoon clash; Ivan Nova will look to salvage a split in the series.

Notes:

• Jordy had a hit and drew two walks; J-Bell had a knock & a walk and Gift picked up a pair of free passes.
• Hamilton and Mesoraco’s homers were their first of the year. Hamilton hadn’t homered since June 28th of last year (319 AB) and Mesoraco’s last lost ball was hit on September 23rd, 2014 (130 AB).
• Altoona Curve 2B Kevin Kramer has extended his on-base streak to 21 consecutive games this afternoon.