Bell surpasses 100 RBIs in Pirates romp

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Josh Bell topped 100 RBIs for the first time in the majors, hitting a three-run homer as the Pittsburgh Pirates routed the Cincinnati Reds 14-0 on Saturday night.

After Colin Moran gave Pittsburgh a 7-0 lead with a pinch-hit grand slam in the sixth inning, Bell lined a fastball from Kevin Gausman into the left-field bleachers in the seventh to reach 102 RBIs.

Bell’s career-high 32 home runs matched Bobby Bonilla’s mark from 1990 for the most by a Pirates switch-hitter.

The Pirates have won the first two games against Cincinnati after entering the three-game series 8-30 since the All-Star break. The Reds lost their ninth straight game at PNC Park dating to an 8-6 win on June 17, 2018.

Moran’s grand slam was his fourth in the majors. He sent a curveball from Lucas Sims 396 feet to right field for his major league career-high 12th homer.

Trevor Williams (6-6) allowed three hits with three strikeouts in six innings, recovering from giving up six earned runs in two innings against Washington in his last start.

Two of the three hits off Williams were the first two of the season for Reds starter Alex Wood (1-3). Wood allowed four earned runs on two hits and three walks in 51/3 innings.

Wood was pulled after hitting Bell to load the bases with one out in the sixth. A single off Sims from Jose Osuna produced Pittsburgh’s third run before Moran entered for his grand slam.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Reds: 1B Joey Votto will not return from his low back strain when eligible to be activated from the 10-day injured list today, but is progressing well, manager David Bell said. He was placed on the IL on Aug. 18 (retroactive to Aug. 15). ... C Curt Casali returned from a rehabilitation assignment with a sprained right knee and was reinstated from the 10-day IL. ... INF/OF Brian O’Grady was optioned to Triple-A Louisville.

UP NEXT

Reds: RHP Trevor Bauer (10-10, 4.06) will try to avoid a third straight loss when he takes the mound against Pittsburgh today. He is 2-4 in eight starts since going 4-0 in five starts from June 16-July 7.

Pirates: RHP Dario Agrazal (2-3, 4.09) is looking for his first win since July 6. He is 0-3 in six appearances (five starts) since.