Pitcher Tom Gorzelanny, right, looks like a deer caught in headlights as he waits to be taken out by manager John Russell in the first inning of Wednesday's game in Cincinnati. Gorzelanny gave up six runs as the Pirates lost to the Reds 9-1.

CINCINNATI — For the first time in its six years, Great American Ball Park feels like home.

David Ross' homer put the finishing touch on a six-run first inning off left-hander Tom Gorzelanny, and the Cincinnati Reds extended their home winning streak to nine games Wednesday night with a 9-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Ross drove in four runs overall, and rookie Jay Bruce had a double and a pair of walks as the Reds extended their best home winning streak since 1980, when they won nine straight at Riverfront Stadium.

"It's nice to be home," Ross said. "That road trip took a lot out of us."

The Reds needed some home-field advantage when they returned from a 2-5 trip to the West Coast, one that finished with an 18-inning loss in San Diego on Sunday.

They were in control of this one right from the start.

Gorzelanny (4-5) retired only two of the eight batters he faced during the shortest of his 54 starts in the majors. He gave up four hits and a pair of walks, and threw a wild pitch that set up a run.

"It's embarrassing to do something like that," said Gorzelanny, who threw only 18 strikes out of 38 pitches. "I've never done this before. I don't know what to say other than I can't believe it."

Ross hit Gorzelanny's final pitch into the seats in center for a two-run homer, his first since Sept. 2. The catcher missed most of spring training and the first three weeks of the season with a sore lower back.

Ross later singled home a run and drew a bases-loaded walk that made it 9-1 in the seventh. Joey Votto had three hits for the second straight game and scored three times.

The early lead was helpful for Bronson Arroyo (4-4), pitching on short rest to help Cincinnati's rotation, which is in disarray. Arroyo volunteered to go on three days of rest after the Reds used starters Aaron Harang and Edinson Volquez during the 18-inning loss in San Diego Sunday.

Arroyo allowed one run and three hits in six innings, throwing 97 pitches. The right-hander is adept at coming back quickly, going 2-0 in five career starts on short rest with a 2.14 ERA.

Gorzelanny missed a scheduled start on May 6 because of pain in his lower back. He said he felt fine physically Wednesday, and had an encouraging warm-up session in the bullpen before the game.

Once he took the mound, he lost his control.

"My back is good, my shoulder is good, my elbow is good," he said. "Everything is good. I just need to get out there and show it."