Reds vs. Pirates
After scoring just once in Friday’s series-opening 6-1 loss to Cincinnati at PNC Park, Pittsburgh hopes to replicate what it did for James McDonald in his last start. The Pirates scored a season-high nine runs in a victory at Atlanta one week ago, giving McDonald his first victory of the season. Cincinnati had all the offense in Friday’s victory, using a rare display of power to win for the fourth time in five games.
The Reds had hit just 16 home runs in their first 24 games, but used long balls from Zack Cozart, Drew Stubbs and Jay Bruce to power past the Pirates. Cincinnati has struggled on offense through the first 25 games, but Bruce’s two hits Friday raised his average to .304 and his eighth homer puts him among the league leaders. Pittsburgh hopes center fielder Andrew McCutchen, who is hitting .297, can play after missing Friday’s game with the stomach flu.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Ohio (Cincinnati), Root Sports (Pittsburgh)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cincinnati RH Mike Leake (0-3, ERA 6.65) vs. Pittsburgh RH James McDonald (1-1, ERA 2.97)
Leake endured a nightmare April in which he lost three games and saw the league hit .326 against him. The right-hander didn’t make it out of the fourth inning in his last start, allowing seven hits and three earned runs April 27 against Houston. McDonald struck out 10 in the victory over the Braves on April 30. The right-hander had allowed just two earned runs on four hits in his previous two starts, but picked up two no-decisions thanks to poor run support.
WALK-OFFS:
1. Eight of Cincinnati’s 12 hits Friday night were for extra bases: three doubles, a triple and three homers.
2. McDonald is 3-1 lifetime against the Reds with a 3.06 ERA in eight games. Leake is 1-2 against the Pirates in his career with a 2.65 ERA in six games.
3. Right-handers are hitting just .163 against McDonald.