Dunn’s record-breaking homer keys Reds past Bucs, 9-6

Adam Dunn’s 252nd homer passed up Ted Kluszewski on the club’s left-handed list.

CINCINNATI (AP) — Adam Dunn hit a three-run homer that set a club record for left-handed batters, and Jay Bruce went 3-for-3 in his eagerly awaited debut Tuesday night, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 9-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Reds beat the Pirates for the first time in four games this season and wiped away the aftertaste of their 2-5 trip to Los Angeles and San Diego, which ended with an 18-inning loss on Sunday.

Leave it to Dunn to lead the way.

His three-run shot in the fifth off Ian Snell (2-4) was his eighth in his last 12 games. With 252 career homers, he moved ahead of Ted Kluszewski — the bare-armed “Big Klu” — for most by a left-handed Reds hitter.

Dunn later added a run-scoring single as the Reds pulled ahead 9-3.

Bruce, a 21-year-old outfielder who is the Reds’ top prospect, had a pair of singles, a double, two walks, a stolen base and a pair of RBIs. He drew one standing ovation after another.

Pittsburgh couldn’t take advantage of an off-night by rookie Johnny Cueto (3-5), who lasted only five innings and was in line for a loss until Dunn connected. The Pirates stranded 11 runners in the first six innings.

Adam LaRoche led Pittsburgh with a sacrifice fly and a two-run homer in the ninth. Ronny Paulino also had a two-out, solo shot in the ninth off Jeremy Affeldt. Francisco Cordero came on with a runner aboard and retired Freddy Sanchez on a fly ball, getting his 11th save in 13 chances.

At the outset, the focus was on Bruce’s debut. Teammates had a little fun, tricking him into running onto the field alone for the start of the game — Bruce caught on after a few steps.

The crowd of 17,964 gave him a standing ovation and yelled “BRUUUUCE!” when he came to bat in the bottom of the first. Dozens of cameras flashed as fans recorded his four-pitch walk for posterity.

Bruce got another standing ovation when he singled to left field in his next plate appearance, and again when he singled home a run in the sixth as the Reds pulled away. He completed his big night with a run-scoring double in the seventh.

He was one of three rookies in Cincinnati’s starting lineup. Rookie first baseman Joey Votto also had three hits.

Since his 10-strikeout debut, Cueto has looked more like a 22-year-old rookie. He needed 119 pitches to get through five innings Tuesday, giving up nine hits and a pair of walks. He left with Pittsburgh up 3-0.

Snell walked three consecutive batters with one out in the fifth, then gave up Brandon Phillips’ sacrifice fly. Dunn’s homer high into the right-field stands, his 14th of the season, put the Reds ahead to stay 4-3.

Notes

Snell walked a career-high seven batters in five-plus innings. ... The Pirates activated SS Jack Wilson, sidelined since the third game of the season by a strained left calf. He went 3-for-5. ... Reds OF Corey Patterson pinch-hit for Cueto in the fifth and flied out, extending his slump to 0-for-18. ... C Paul Bako snapped an 0-for-21 slump, the worst of his career.