Pirates earn split with 3-0 win over Reds

CINCINNATI – Charlie Morton pitched seven shutout innings and Neil Walker hit a solo home run, lifting Pittsburgh over Cincinnati to earn a split.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen throws in the first inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Friday, July 31, 2015, in Cincinnati.

Marlon Byrd also hit a three-run homer, and Jay Bruce drove in three runs with a sacrifice fly and a double as the Reds improved to 8-2 overall against the Pirates this season.

Rodriguez, Byrd, and Reds first baseman Joey Votto were ejected from the contest.

Things had appeared to calm down when Cincinnati third baseman Todd Frazier and his Pirates counterpart Sean Rodriguez exchanged heated words and players from both teams again faced off. Andrew McCutchen reacts after being hit by a pitch from Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Pedro Villarreal as catcher Tucker Barnhart, right, looks on in the eighth inning Sunday. Billy Hamilton reached on an infield hit, stole second and third (giving the center fielder 49 steals for the season), then scored on Phillips’ single against a drawn-in infield, making the score 5-1.In the fifth, Holmberg collected his first career hit, a single, putting runners at first and third. Jeff Locke (5-6) allowed three runs in five innings to get the victory. Marte collected his 55th and 56th RBI’s of the year on the double.

Former Tigers closer Joakim Soria arrived a few hours before the game and slipped into his new role as setup man. He loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh – a pair of walks got him in trouble – but snagged Brayan Pena’s liner over his head to end the threat. “I was still nervous but I just told myself to keep the ball down”. He faces Michael Lorenzen, who allowed 12 runs over his last 7 1/3 innings. I have a reputation of walking guys.

After Donaldson struck out, Bautista made it 3-0 with a double to center, and yelled at Madson as he ran to first. Longoria led off the eighth with a double off the Green Monster in left field. Initially a triple, it was upgraded to a homer after a review of 1 minute, 25 seconds. With Mike Leake and Johnny Cueto gone the Reds will be understaffed in the rotation the rest of the way. He wouldn’t say how.

“He’s very confident here, in a very hitter-friendly ballpark”, Hurdle said. “We don’t play that game”. Happ will make his Pittsburgh debut on Tuesday against the Cubs…. Pirates RHP A.J. Burnett will meet with team doctors Monday in Pittsburgh to determine the extent of his right elbow injury. Burnett, who plans to retire after the season, said there was “no chance” he would have season-ending surgery.

The Reds stayed quiet on trade deadline day ahead of their attempt at a ninth win in 11 games against the Pirates, who made a notable move of their own Thursday.

Cole has been excellent on the road this season, going 9-2 with a 2.01 ERA.

The Yankees won the series against the White Sox and bumped their record to 7-0-1 in their last eight completed series.