Pirates 4, Reds 2
A.J. Burnett struck out a season-high 12 in seven innings as host Pittsburgh moved a game ahead of Cincinnati for the top wild card in the National League.
Russell Martin belted a two-run homer and Marlon Byrd delivered the go-ahead run with a sacrifice fly in a two-run sixth as the Pirates remained two games behind first-place St. Louis in the NL Central.
Burnett (9-11) allowed two runs on four hits and retired 14 of the final 15 batters he faced to help Pittsburgh even the series at a game apiece. Two relievers bridged the gap to Jason Grilli, who worked around a leadoff single in the ninth to earn his 31st save - and first since July 21.
Zack Cozart homered and Ryan Ludwick had an RBI single for the Reds, who lead Washington by 4 1/2 games for the second wild card. Cincinnati starter Homer Bailey (11-11) had his six-game winning streak snapped, allowing four runs - two earned - on three hits in 5 2/3 innings to absorb his first loss in six decisions at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh capitalized on a couple of Cincinnati miscues, when Martin followed a two-out error by Joey Votto in the second with a tying two-run blast. Bailey's errant pickoff throw in the sixth allowed Andrew McCutchen to move to third and score the go-ahead run on Byrd's sacrifice fly before Pedro Alvarez supplied insurance with an RBI single.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Burnett surpassed 200 strikeouts for the third time and first time since notching a career-high 231 in 2008 while with Toronto. Bailey fanned three to leave him four shy of his first 200-strikeout season. ... Reds CF and leadoff batter Shin-Soo Choo was not in the starting lineup because he hurt his wrist on a headfirst slide into first base in Friday night's game. ... Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said RHP Jason Grilli, who had 30 saves before he was sidelined for more than six weeks with a forearm strain, would get the chance to close after RHP Melancon blew two straight save opportunities - including a three-run lead on Friday night.