Lorenzen outduels Taillon in Reds’ shutout

Associated Press

cincinnati

Michael Lorenzen’s longest outing in three years reminded him why he enjoys starting so much.

The right-hander singled home a run and got his first victory as a starter since 2015, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-0 victory Saturday that ended their seven-game losing streak against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Pittsburgh has dominated the Ohio River rivalry, going 13-5 this season. The seven-game winning streak was the Pirates’ longest against the Reds since 1991.

Pittsburgh was blanked for the 17th time, most in the NL and tied with Detroit for most in the majors.

The Reds let Lorenzen (4-2) finish the season with three starts after 42 relief appearances, providing a chance for him to join the competition for next year’s rotation. He went 52/3 innings — his longest appearance since he was a rookie starter in 2015 — and gave up five hits.

Lorenzen used all his pitches, something he doesn’t need in relief. He threw 73 in all.

“I was using, really, three variations of a fastball, and that’s why I love starting,” he said. “I have those three variations. Then I started throwing the curveball in the sixth, and they hadn’t seen that yet. I started throwing the changeup, and they hadn’t seen that yet.”

David Hernandez escaped a bases-loaded threat in the sixth. Raisel Iglesias got his 30th save in 34 chances.

Lorenzen also had a run-scoring single, finishing his season at the plate with a flourish. Lorenzen batted .300 with one double, four homers and 10 RBIs in 30 at-bats as a pitcher or pinch hitter.

Eugenio Suarez homered for the second straight game off Jameson Taillon (14-10), pulling out of his slump. His two-run shot on Friday night was his first homer and RBI since Sept. 10.

Taillon made it through a full season for the first time. He missed the 2014 and 2015 seasons while recovering from Tommy John surgery and a sports hernia. Last year, he had surgery for testicular cancer in May.

“None of us can appreciate what he went through,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “There’s different levels of respect, and I’m sure for his teammates it’s at the highest level.”

Taillon finished the season with a streak of 22 starts allowing three earned runs or less, one shy of Bob Friend’s single-season club record from 1963.

Pittsburgh’s Jung Ho Kang started at third base. He has a single in four at-bats.

COOL .300

Hurdle took Corey Dickerson out of the game after his single in the sixth inning raised his average to .300, which the manager considered a good stopping point for the outfielder.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: Right fielder Adam Frazier left in the fourth inning with a tight right hamstring. ... Shortstop Jordy Mercer left in the fifth with a sore right forearm.

Reds: Scooter Gennett was out of the lineup with a sore right biceps.

UP NEXT

Pirates: Clay Holmes (1-3) makes his first start since Aug. 10. He has pitched out of the bullpen his last five appearances.

Reds: Sal Romano (8-11) makes his 25th start after 12 straight relief appearances.