MLB: The Cincinnati Reds easily roll over the Pirates with a dominant performance
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - The Cincinnati Reds really took it to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday, handing them an embarrassing home loss after a slow start.
The Reds got into a small pitcher's duel at the start but then blew up for runs in a big way to crush the Pirates 14-1.
Tyler Naquin (30) led the charge of the Reds, going 2-for-5, batting in four runs, including a three-run homer to help Cincinnati stay well ahead of the Pirates throughout the game. Through the first three innings of the game, each team only managed to score one run, until the Reds exploded for six runs in the fourth and never looked back from there. The Pirates were shut out for the rest of the game as the Reds put up seven more runs, during the remaining innings to win big.
Nick Senzel and Mike Moustakas each went 2-for-5, to combine for four RBIs and three runs scored for the Reds. And Jesse Winker, Tucker Barnhart, and Kyle Farmer each had two hits apiece in Cincinnati's win.
Jacob Stallings was one of the few bright spots for the Pirates, hitting a solo home run for his team's only run. Adam Frazier and Bryan Reynolds each had two hits, but nothing else to show for it.
Both teams match up again on Tuesday for the second of a three-game set in Pittsburgh.
Around the league
In Baltimore, the Orioles avoided the sweep by beating the Red Sox 4-1, while the Angels barely got by the Astros 5-4. The Diamondbacks snapped a six-game skid, winning against the Marlins 5-2. And thanks to a late-game rally led by Mauricio Dubon, the Giants held off the Rangers 3-1.
The Padres and Rockies game was postponed for Tuesday.
On Tuesday, the Cubs take on the Indians, while the Mariners are in LA to face the Dodgers.
Cover photo: IMAGO / Kyodo News