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Pirates, Duke Implode in the 5th and Clinch Last

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Through four innings, Zach Duke had allowed three hits and no runs. The Pirates had given him a 2-0 cushion, thanks in part to a solo homer from Andrew McCutchen. The Reds scored five times in the fifth, with two runs coming after two were gone. An error from Ryan Doumit on a bases loaded grounder contributed to the misery. Brandon Phillips drove in two runs with a single in the inning.

Duke was lifted for a pinch hitter. But the Reds scored more (three off of Donnie Veal in the 7th and two off of Eric Hacker in the 8th) off the Pirates bullpen to pull away. Scott Rolen contributed RBI hits in each of the Reds rallies.

Johnny Cueto picked up his 10th win with five innings. He missed his last turn with the flu. He struck out two and gave up nine hits. Duke also gave up nine hits in his five innings, but the Reds turned those knocks into five runs.

The Good

14 hits for the offense.

The Bad

Only 4 runs for the offense

The Rest

Duke falls to 3-5 in his career against Cincy. Cueto is now 5-2 against the Pirates.

Garrett Jones had his sixth three hit game of the year. Lastings Milledge had his third such game and his second in a week.

Welcome Eric Hacker. He made his ML debut. He was acquired earlier in the year from the Bombers for Romulo Sanchez.

Bucs collected double digits in hits for the first time since 8/9-11 when they did it off of St. Louis, had an off day and then did it against Colorado

Pirates need to go 7-6 the rest of the way to avoid 100 losses.

 

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