Reds’ rookie keeps Bucs in check

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Reds rookie Travis Wood shut out the Pirates on two singles over seven innings, fill-in first baseman Miguel Cairo drove in two runs and the Cincinnati Reds stayed hot, beating the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-0 on Monday night.

Russ Springer, the 41-year-old right-hander brought up from the minors earlier in the day, and Arthur Rhodes, the 40-year-old first-time All-Star, pitched an inning each to complete the combined three-hitter — Cincinnati’s seventh shutout and fifth victory in six games.

The Reds began the night one-half game behind NL Central leader St. Louis, which played Houston on Monday night.

Chris Heisey finished off the Reds’ seventh victory in their last eight against Pittsburgh with an inside-the-park home run in the eighth inning.

Heisey’s line drive over the head of shortstop Ronny Cedeno found the left-center gap and was misplayed by center fielder Andrew McCutchen, who wasn’t given an error despite permitting the ball to roll to the wall. Heisey beat the relay throw to the plate standing up for his seventh homer.

The Pirates, on pace for their record-extending 18th consecutive losing season and their first 100-loss season since 2001, have been outscored 34-5 while losing their last five. They have scored two runs in their last four, with the Cardinals outscoring them 21-2 during a three-game weekend sweep.

Three of those losses were to some of the NL’s top pitchers — Ubaldo Jimenez, Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter — but the left-handed Wood (2-1) had made only six previous career starts, winning once. His first career victory was a 10-2 decision over Milwaukee on Wednesday, when he lasted five innings.