J-Bell, Starling Go Long; Reynolds Chases Home the Winner As Bucs Take Opener 8-5

Fraze banged Luis Castillo’s second pitch into right to open the contest, then J-Bell walked with two gone. Melky spanked one, but right to second to end the frame. Nick gave up a two-out rap with no damage done. Eli walked with an out in the second; a DP took care of that. Nick tossed a clean frame; both twirlers have taken advantage of Laz Diaz’s generous if erratic strike zone. Castillo walked Kingham to open the third but the Pirates aren’t in a taking mood so far. The Reds led off with a knock, and with one out followed with another, mitigated by Bryan Reynolds, who tossed out the lead runner at third to help The King to a third goose egg. Melky was bopped with a fastball with an out in the fourth (he was hit in the elbow and his usually pro demeanor was replaced by some obvious displeasure at Castillo). He was balked to second (he was actually picked off before the ruling) and went to third on Redbeard’s rap, who hustled to second when the throw went through. Cabrera plated on Eli’s sac fly, sliding in just ahead of throw in a collision with the catcher; tough lap for the ol’ vet. An infield single put Bucs on the corners before Nick K’ed, but at least the order turned over. The Cincy’s got a two-out walk for their efforts.

The Bucs keep stacking up runners; a Fraze single was followed by a DP by another walk, but no scoring. Castillo has allowed five free men on base so far; only one has bitten him. The Reds moved a leadoff single to second with a bunt. He almost got away; back-to-back-to-back two-out doubles made it 3-1 to ruin a good opening; the third time around the order caught up. Ric Rod got a whiff to finish it up. Melky and Redbeard started the sixth with raps. Eli tried to hit into another DP, but Votto dropped the relay to leave Bucs at first and third. K-Man knocked a ball to short; the flip to second was muffed, allowing a run to score and keeping the party going. Gregory grabbed some lumber and lefty Amir Garrett grabbed the ball. He got ahead 0-2, wasted a chase slider, and then watched El Coffee slap a heater to left to tie the game before he stomped out the flames. Frankie took over and was met with an infield knock. A fly, caught by a sliding Melky, and twin killing TCB. With one gone in the seventh, J-Bell ran into a slider and the Pirates were up 4-3. Matt Bowman came in to take on Eli, and left him standing there after looking at three strikes.

Frankie lost consecutive Redlegs after full counts with an out, and a single loaded ‘em up, bringing in Kyle Crick. A sac fly tied it. David Hernandez worked the eighth, and Tuck doubled on a ball that ticked off the CF’ers mitt. Fraze took one for the team on a two-strike back-foot slider. Reynolds fell behind 0-2, trusted Laz Diaz by taking a couple of borderline pitches, then swatted a curve the opp way for two bags and two runs, going to third on the play (it was later ruled a triple). Starling then went long to right center and the pad was up to four runs. Wandy Peralta was waved in and calmed the waters. Crick was tagged for a leadoff double and then gave up a four-pitch walk an out later. He came back with a three-pitch whiff, then another walk (Laz missed strike three, but that fuzzy strike zone has been his MO for both sides all day, c’est la vie). Felipe came in to get the last out, and fell behind 3-1 but came back for the K. Wandy mowed down the Pirates in the ninth. Of course, it’s never easy; the Reds opened with consecutive raps to put runners on the corners. A K, sac fly and bouncer closed it out with no further drama.  Raise the Roger.

Notes:

• Every Pirates position starter reached safely, with all but Eli ringing up a hit. Redbeard, Melky and Fraze each had two raps; J-Bell and Starling hit dingers and Bryan Reynold’s triple plated the winning runs.
• No surprise that Felipe was rusty; he hadn’t pitched since May 19th. The Nightmare earned the save as he faced the tying run in the eighth and then finished the game. Kyle Crick, btw, got the win/blown save combo. 
• Bryan Reynolds was touted as a CF candidate as a prospect, and while he’s not been all that in the middle (-1 DRS), coming into today he’s +5 DRS in left with a second assist picked up in this game. 
• Neal wants a free pass for catchers to get in-game concussion evaluations.
• In a depth move, the Pirates picked up RHP Yefry Ramirez from the Orioles for a PTBNL or cash. He’s a starter/reliever with some MLB experience and will report to Indy.