McCutchen Homers, Pirates’ bullpen holds a 5-4 win over Reds

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Starling Marte reacts after being hit by a pitch from Cincinnati Reds starter Michael Lorenzen in the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 31, 2015, in Cincinnati. One player rumored to be on the move, Jay Bruce, hit a solo homer in a 1-0 win in St. Louis on Wednesday, and another, Aroldis Chapman, converted his 12th consecutive save. “He has a very easy-to-repeat delivery, he was always on time – his delivery was on time – so he could get his arm in position to throw good, quality strikes”, Price said. The Reds sent 10 batters to the plate for six runs in the fifth, with Phillips connecting off reliever Deolis Guerra for a 9-1 lead.

The biggest question was what to do with Burnett, whose velocity was down at the start of the game. “That’s why I’m going to wait, sleep on it, talk to him and watch some videotape”.

Burnett gave up a pair of singles and Byrd’s homer in the first inning.

The Reds opened the season with a three-game sweep of the Pirates at Great American Ball Park. McCutchen also homered during the All-Star Game at GABP on July 14 and has eight homers in his last 23 games there. In the second half of the season, Burnett has allowed 18 runs on 32 hits in 16 innings pitched. “There were a lot of guys with good days (on offense) for us”. Pirates RHP Vance Worley was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for RHP Joe Blanton, who was acquired early Thursday morning from Kansas City for cash considerations…. They’re expecting Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison back from injuries for the playoff push.

“I don’t know”, Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said when asked about pushing back Burnett’s next start.

Nationals 1, Marlins 0 • Max Scherzer, the former Parkway Central and Mizzou star, scattered three hits over seven innings, and Jonathan Papelbon got his first save for visiting Washington with a ideal ninth.

Burnett hit Tucker Barnhart with a 2-2 pitch and then Holmberg pulled away from a bunt and hit a single advancing Barnhart to third base. Phillips stole two bags, too, and Burnett walked two to load the bases before getting a strikeout and groundout to limit damage.

Cincinnati Reds’ Marlon Byrd runs home after hitting a three-run home run off Pittsburgh Pirates …

“It’s a dream come true to be able to say I made it”, Sampson said. “I’m 38. That’s what I had”. First baseman Pedro Alvarez made a throwing error while trying to start a double play, extending the inning.

Outfielder Jaff Decker made his first career outing on the mound in the eighth inning and put up a zero. He went 2 for 4. Meanwhile, pitcher Nathan Adcock has been placed on the disabled list with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow and pitcher Keyvius Sampson has been promoted. The lefty has also struck out 61 (5.1 K/9) and walked 38 (3.2 BB/9) in 108.1 innings.

Pirates: LH Jeff Locke has been charged with two earned runs or less in seven of his nine career starts against the Reds.