PITTSBURGH — Hunter Greene allowed just four hits, struck out six and walked two in his best start of the season, but the Cincinnati Reds still lost 2-0 to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday to lose their sixth straight game.
The Reds have struggled offensively during the skid, scoring just six runs.
Vince Velasquez struck out 10 in seven innings of work to give the Pirates their seventh consecutive win. It was the most strikeouts for Velasquez (3-2) since May 10, 2018, when he had 12 for the Phillies against the Giants. He allowed two hits and walked two.
The Pirates improved to 16-7, marking the franchise’s best start since 1992, which was also the last time they won a division title.
David Bednar struck out two in the ninth for his eighth save, finishing a four-hitter.
Pittsburgh jumped in front in the first against Greene (0-1). Ke’Bryan Hayes led off with a double to the gap in right-center. He moved to third on Tucupita Marcano’s single and scampered home when Andrew McCutchen grounded into a double play.
Velasquez got himself into a jam in the third after walking Jose Barrero and Luke Maile with just one out. The right-hander managed to get Jonathan India to fly out to right and gotTJ Friedl hit a grounder to third to end the scoring threat.
Pittsburgh took a 2-0 lead in the eighth on a two-out double by Jack Suwinski off of Fernando Cruz. The hit allowed Carlos Santana to score from second.
Cincinnati will return home for a three-game series with the Texas Rangers. LHP Nick Lodolo (2-1, 4.98 ERA) is scheduled to start on Monday.
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