Suarez, Reds slam slumping Bucs

Associated Press

CINCINNATI

Eugenio Suarez hit a grand slam off Ivan Nova — who dropped his sixth straight start against Cincinnati — and Jesse Winker added a solo shot Thursday as the Reds pulled away to a 5-4 victory over the slumping Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Reds took two of three in the series, completing a 3-4 homestand. Pittsburgh has dropped five of six.

Luis Castillo (4-4) gave up four hits in six innings, including a two-run homer by David Freese. Castillo has allowed two earned runs or less in each of his last five starts.

Austin Meadows hit his second homer of the series, a two-run shot off Amir Garrett in the ninth that cut it to 5-4. Jared Hughes got the last two outs for his second save. The Reds are without closer Raisel Iglesias, who went on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday with a strained biceps in his non-throwing arm.

Nova had another tough time against the Reds, extending his streak into a new season. The right-hander lost his last start against Cincinnati in 2016 and went 0-4 in four starts last year, three of them at Great American Ball Park. He had a big role in his latest undoing.

Nova hadn’t walked a batter in his last two starts, but opened the third inning by walking Castillo. He also had a throwing error on Scooter Gennett’s comeback grounder that helped the Reds load the bases. Suarez hit his third career grand slam.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: C Francisco Cervelli was available to pinch hit. He hurt his right hand while catching in the 10th inning of Pittsburgh’s 5-4 win on Wednesday night and came out of the game in the 12th after the Pirates had pulled ahead on Josh Harrison’s triple.

Reds: Joey Votto got a day of rest from the starting lineup, but pinch hit and drew a walk. He’s 5 for 27 in his last nine games with seven strikeouts.

UP NEXT

Pirates: Joe Musgrove (0-0) comes off the DL and starts against the Cardinals at PNC Park as Pittsburgh begins a six-game homestand. Musgrove has been sidelined since spring training by a strained right shoulder. St. Louis goes with John Gant (1-1).