Pedro produces Pirate win
CINCINNATI — Pedro Alvarez hasn’t changed anything in June, except those RBI numbers. They’re way up there, just like the Pirates.
Alvarez drove in all of Pittsburgh’s runs with a solo homer, bases-loaded double and a single on Thursday for a 5-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds and a split of their high-profile NL Central series.
The Pirates remain a half-game behind second-place Cincinnati after the four-game set, keeping them virtually shoulder-to-shoulder as they chase the torrid St. Louis Cardinals.
After blowing a one-run lead in the ninth and losing 2-1 in 13 innings on Wednesday night, Pittsburgh salvaged a game behind Alvarez and a bullpen running on fumes.
“We needed a big day from a number of people today and Pedro was one of them,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “There was no bigger swing than with the bases loaded, left-on-left. Beautiful.”
Alvarez had an RBI single and his 16th homer off Homer Bailey, who couldn’t follow his no-hitter against Pittsburgh with a win. After Alfredo Simon (5-3) loaded the bases in the seventh, Alvarez doubled off left-hander Tony Cingrani to snap a 2-all tie.
The five RBIs were a season high for a Pirate and one shy of Alvarez’s career high. The third baseman has been Pittsburgh’s top run producer in June, leading the team with 48 RBIs overall.
It’s quite a change. Alvarez .180 in April and .225 in May before finding his form. He has six homers in June, second-most in the NL.
“I just think it’s repetition and getting the opportunity to go out and try to gain as much experience as I can from every day out there,” Alvarez said.
Bryan Morris (4-2) contributed to the go-ahead rally with his first career single. He also pitched two innings, allowing one run. Left-hander Tony Watson pitched the last two innings for his second save in three chances.
The Pirates lead the season series 6-4, holding their own early in the season despite a rotation that’s sapped by injuries and a lineup that strikes out a lot.
