Slumping Pirates lose again

Associated Press

CINCINNATI

A ground ball that deflects off the shortstop’s glove for a double. A wild pitch that lets in one run, followed by an error that sends home another.

Just another bad night in a long run of them for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Mike Leake pitched seven innings, had a pair of hits and scored on a dash home off a wild pitch Tuesday, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 5-3 victory that shoved the Pirates another game further out of contention and another loss closer to that dreaded .500 mark.

The Pirates have lost five in a row and 22 out of 31, falling out of contention in the NL Central. They trail the Reds by a season-high 13 games.

The deep slump also has left them at risk of extending their unmatched streak of futility. The Pirates haven’t had a winning record for the last 19 seasons, a record for a North American pro team. The loss on Tuesday dropped them to 72-69.

Both teams were recovering from their 5-hour, 22-minute game on Monday night, won by the Reds 4-3 in 14 innings. This one came down to one sloppy inning.

Leake (8-9) gave up nine hits, including Alex Presley’s solo homer and pinch-hitter Gaby Sanchez’s two-run shot. Leake singled and eventually scored during a decisive three-run second inning aided by an error.

Brandon Phillips hit Correia’s first pitch of the game for a homer and doubled home another run. Scott Rolen added a solo shot.