Reds at Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates have won consecutive games for the first time in nearly a month and look to make it three in a row when they continue a three-game set with the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Saturday. A run-scoring double play and two sacrifice flies gave the Pirates just enough offense in a 3-2 win to begin the series Friday night.
Pittsburgh was outhit 7-6 and committed each of the game's three errors, but its staff held the Reds to 0-for-12 with runners in scoring position. Starling Marte had one of the two sacrifice flies for the Pirates and he owns six hits an six RBIs during a four-game hitting streak. Cincinnati had its three-game winning streak come to an end with Friday's loss as it fell to 1-4 at Pittsburgh this year and 5-13 in one-run games. The Reds will try to bounce back behind struggling right-hander Luis Castillo, who opposes veteran Ivan Nova in Saturday's matchup.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Luis Castillo (4-7, 5.79 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Ivan Nova (3-5, 4.68)
Castillo continues to struggle to keep the ball in the park and served up two more home runs in a loss to the St. Louis Cardinals his last time out. He allowed five runs over six innings in the setback, although the 25-year-old did tie a career high with 10 strikeouts. Castillo's last win came against Pittsburgh on May 24, when he yielded two runs in six innings.
Nova returned from the disabled list to score a win at Wrigley Field on Sunday, limiting the Chicago Cubs to one run in 5 2/3 frames while striking out eight. He was the losing pitcher opposite Castillo last month after struggling through 5 1/3 innings and fell to 3-7 with a 4.67 ERA lifetime versus the Reds. Scott Schebler is 9-for-22 against Nova while Eugenio Suarez is 8-for-21 and Jesse Winker is 3-for-6 with two home runs.
WALK-OFFS
1. Reds RHP Homer Bailey (knee) halted his rehab assignment at Triple-A Louisville.
2. The Pirates reinstated INF Jung Ho Kang and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis.
3. Cincinnati 1B Joey Votto has drawn 10 walks in his last seven games.