Reds celebrate, Bucs stumble

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Joey Votto celebrated his 33rd birthday with four hits, including a home run, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the collapsing Pittsburgh Pirates 8-7 on Saturday night.

Votto led off the ninth inning with his 23rd homer, a drive to right off Juan Nicasio that gave the Reds a two-run cushion.

The 2010 NL MVP is hitting .427 in 51 games since the All-Star break and could become the first major leaguer to hit .400 in the second half since Ichiro Suzuki had a .429 average in 2004 with the Seattle Mariners.

The Pirates’ flickering hopes of a fourth consecutive postseason berth took another hit as they dropped six games behind St. Louis for the second NL wild card with their 10th loss in 12 games.

Francisco Cervelli hit a two-out RBI single in the ninth for Pittsburgh, but Tony Cingrani held on for his 17th save. With runners on first and second, Jordy Mercer bounced into a fielder’s choice for the final out.

Brandon Phillips had three of Cincinnati’s 15 hits, helping the Reds rally from an early 4-0 deficit for their second straight win following nine losses in 11 games. Tucker Barnhart drove in three runs.

Phillips is hitting .365 (19 for 52) with four homers and 10 RBIs in 14 games against the Pirates this season.

The Reds jumped in front with three runs in the fifth against rookie reliever Trevor Williams (1-1).