Jonathan India snapped a seventh-inning tie with his fourth hit of the day as the Cincinnati Reds beat the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates 5-1 Thursday to split a day-night doubleheader.
Roansy Contreras allowed just one run and four hits in a career-high six innings to lead the Pirates over the Reds, 4-2, in the first game.
India had two hits in each game for the Reds, who won for just the third time in eight games on a season-long 11-game homestand.
Cincinnati reliever Reiver Sanmartin (1-4) pitched the final 2 2/3 innings for his first win since Oct. 3, 2021. All three of Sanmartin’s career wins have come against the Pirates.
The Pirates broke through in the third against left-handed reliever Ross Detwiler, as Ben Gamel doubled with one out and Daniel Vogelbach drove Gamel home with a single to right.
Tough-luck loser Bryce Wilson (1-5) was cruising through the Reds’ lineup until Tyler Naquin turned on an inside fastball and drove it deep to the seats in right-center with two outs in the sixth. Naquin’s sixth homer, and first since May 24, tied the game, 1-1.
After going six innings in his last start, Wilson gave the Pirates another strong performance. The right-hander fired a season-best 6 2/3 innings, allowing four runs (only one earned) and striking out four without a walk.
Wilson appeared on his way to a full seven-inning outing when Nick Senzel hit a chopper over the mound. Former Reds utility player Josh VanMeter booted the ball, allowing Senzel to reach with two outs.
Another fielding miscue by the Pirates enabled Senzel to advance and then score on a single by India, knocking Wilson out of the game.
Brandon Drury tripled home two more runs against reliever Chris Stratton before Tommy Pham’s RBI single scored Drury for a 5-1 lead.
Sanmartin pitched out of a jam in the seventh – runners on first and second with one out. Pinch-hitter Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a tailor-made double play ball, but the Reds could convert only one out. But Sanmartin recovered to fan Gamel and end the inning.
–Field Level Media