Pirates 1, Reds 0
Pittsburgh escaped a bases-loaded jam late and the National League Central-leading Pirates held on for a 1-0 victory over the visiting Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday.
All-Star Andrew McCutchen drove in the lone run and Neil Walker extended his hitting streak to 13 games for Pittsburgh, which has won six straight over Cincinnati for the first time since a nine-game run in 1991. McCutchen’s first-inning RBI groundout off Mike Leake (8-5) was all Pittsburgh needed to remain atop the National League Central.
The surprising Pirates entered the night in first place this late for the first time since 1992. The defending NL Central champions, meanwhile, continue to struggle. The Reds were shut out for the second straight night.
James McDonald (6-4) held the Reds to four hits and struck out seven in 6 1/3 innings. He departed with the bases loaded in favor of Joe Beimel, who struck out pinch-hitter Jay Bruce. Chris Resop then got Drew Stubbs on a groundout to first base, as a nervous McDonald watched from the top step of the dugout. Resop worked a perfect eighth and All-Star Joel Hanrahan earned his 28th save in 29 chances.