Two-out error in ninth helps Reds beat Pirates

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

A single strike from falling two games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates in the race for the top spot in the National League wild-card race, the Cincinnati Reds needed a break.

Jordy Mercer provided one. The surging Reds took care of the rest.

A wild throw by the Pittsburgh shortstop with two outs in the ninth inning opened the door for a three-run rally off Pirates closer Mark Melancon that tied the game. Joey Votto’s home run off Kyle Farnsworth an inning later won it as the Reds pulled off an improbable 6-5 victory to move into a tie with the Pirates. Both teams are two games behind St. Louis for the lead in the NL Central.

“That’s really uncommon, really rare, and for us to have done that in a game like this, against this squad, against that pitcher, that makes it even more rare and pretty impressive,” Votto said. “Guys just strung together a bunch of tough at-bats.”

Ones that came after Mercer couldn’t quite handle a slow grounder by Todd Frazier with one on and two outs in the ninth. Mercer charged the ball but couldn’t get a grip on it and it ended up in the stands behind first base.

“If I make a good throw right there, the game is over and all the stuff that happened never happens,” Mercer said. “It was tough. We played a great game, everybody played a great game and to have it happen like that, it’s just a bad throw.”

And the Pirates quickly unraveled.

Zach Cozart singled after Mercer’s error to put runners on the corners. Cincinnati rookie base-stealing specialist Billy Hamilton pinch ran for Cozart and promptly swiped second then raced home when Devin Mesoraco ended a nine-pitch duel with Melancon by sending a sharp grounder that bounced off third baseman Pedro Alvarez and rolled onto the grass in shallow left field.

“I really just went up there and just thought about battling ...” Mesoraco said. “That was it. That was my only goal, just go up there, battle, battle, and hopefully leave one out over the plate that I could put a half-decent swing on and hopefully find a hole.”

Melancon has been dominant since taking over the closer’s role from Jason Grilli in July, but blew his second save in three days. San Diego rallied for a 3-2 win on Wednesday.

This one, however, will almost certainly be more difficult to overcome.

“That’s a game we should have won and I think the Reds know that too,” Melancon said.

JJ Hoover (5-5) earned the win for the Reds, who have won four straight. Aroldis Chapman worked the 10th for his 38th save.

Farnsworth (1-1) retired Brandon Phillips to start the 10th but left fielder Starling Marte couldn’t quite grab Votto’s shot down the line.