Pirates 2, Reds 0
Charlie Morton and three relievers combined on a three-hitter as the upstart Pirates recorded a fifth straight win over the defending National League Central champion Cincinnati Reds 2-0 on Monday in a game featuring two lengthy delays in Pittsburgh.
All-Star Andrew McCutchen and Matt Diaz each drove in a run for Pittsburgh, which improved to an NL Central-best 23-13 within the division.
The Reds, meanwhile, failed in their attempt to win consecutive games for the first time since June 13-15.
All-Star closer Joel Hanrahan bounced back from his first blown save in 29 chances by tossing a perfect ninth. Hanrahan’s effort capped four perfect innings from the bullpen, which was called upon after Morton (8-5) shut down the Reds yet again.The righthander improved to 3-0 with a microscopic 0.39 ERA against Cincinnati this season.
Pittsburgh scratched out its runs in the fourth inning against Dontrelle Willis (0-1), who was making his second start with Cincinnati.
The start of the game was delayed by 45 minutes due to rain, and lightning interrupted a Reds’ rally with two outs in the top of the first. When play resumed rookie shortstop Chase d’Arnaud, who later exited with a stiff neck, robbed Miguel Cairo of an RBI single with a diving stop and shovel to second base.