Bucs pick up 6th straight win

Associated Press

Pittsburgh

Francisco Liriano won for the first time since opening day and John Jaso homered to open the bottom of the first as Pittsburgh beat Cincinnati 5-1 Saturday night for the Pirates’ sixth straight win and Reds their sixth consecutive loss.

Liriano (2-1) allowed one run in 62/3 innings for his first win since April 3 when he pitched six scoreless innings against St. Louis. The left-hander also held the Reds to five hits and struck out six while walking none after allowing 17 bases on balls in his first four starts.

Jaso hit the first pitch of the game from Alfredo Simon (0-3) out to right-center field for his first home run of the season. It was also his fifth career homer leading off the first.

Simon lowered his ERA to 13.50 from 16.39 by allowing three runs and six-plus innings. He walked four and struck out four.

Francisco Cervelli’s RBI single in the fifth for the Pirates snapped a 1-1 tie and chased Simon. Josh Harrison added a sacrifice fly later in the inning.

Cervelli and David Freese each had two hits of the Pirates’ 10 hits.

Sean Rodriguez hit a two-run homer, his fourth, in the eighth to make it 5-1 after entering the game in the top of the inning at first base as a defensive replacement for Jaso.

Mark Melancon got the last out for his seventh save, striking out Zack Cozart with runners on first and second.

Billy Hamilton had three hits for the Reds and scored their only run in the fifth, tying it at 1 when he came around from first base on Cozart’s double. Cincinnati has scored just 10 runs during its losing streak.

The Pirates’ Jordy Mercer extended his hitting streak to seven games.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Reds: RHP Raisel Iglesias may miss his scheduled start today against the Pirates in the finale of the three-game series after feeling discomfort in his shoulder Friday during a throwing session.... RHP Anthony DeSclafani (strained oblique) felt tightness in his side late in his rehab start Friday when he pitched five scoreless innings for Class A Dayton and will be evaluated by the team’s medical staff. ... …C Devin Mesoraco (sore left shoulder) missed his second straight game but could be in the lineup today.

Pirates: RHP Jared Hughes (strained left lat muscle), who was injured late in spring training, was activated from the 15-day disabled list and RHP Rob Scahill was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

UP NEXT

Reds: If Iglesias (1-1, 3.49) is unable to pitch, RHP Tim Adleman is expected to be called up from Triple-A Louisville and make his major league debut.

Pirates: LHP Jeff Locke (1-2, 5.03) is coming off his first win of the season as he pitched six shutout innings Monday night at Colorado after having a 7.24 ERA in his first three starts.