Reds Outpace Pirates, 13-6, at Victory Field
INDIANAPOLIS (April 2, 2016) - An unforgettable day of baseball in Indianapolis featured a sellout crowd of 14,352 on hand at Victory Field to witness the Cincinnati Reds top the Pittsburgh Pirates, 13-6, in their spring training finales on Saturday afternoon at Victory Field.
"We couldn't see the grass when the game started because there were so many people out there," said Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle. "It was awesome. We came in through center field because I wanted to see the field. I walked all the way around because I'd never been to the park. The ownership group here has done a fantastic job. I'm so glad that I was able to get back here and see the park and see how beautiful it is when it's full."
With the wind swirling and gusting upwards of 20 mph, the game was affected both defensively and at the plate.
Alfredo Simon (1-0, 3.86) made the start for the Reds on the mound, earning the win after allowing four runs on three hits over 4.0 innings, walking four and striking out three.
2015 Indianapolis Indians Starting Pitcher of the Year Wilfredo Boscan (0-2, 19.50) toed a familiar rubber to start for the Pirates. He departed after allowing five earned runs in 2.2 innings, receiving the loss.
Cincinnati struck in the game's opening frame, plating a run on a wind-aided triple from Brandon Phillips.
The Pirates answered in the bottom of the first, with newcomer David Freese belting a two-run shot to left following a base hit from former Indian Andrew McCutchen.
The Reds bats ignited for a massive third inning, plating seven runs as the visiting club sent 12 men to the plate. Area native Tucker Barnhart, who doubled in the second, notched his second consecutive hit with an RBI single in the effort. He finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
Pittsburgh tallied a pair of runs in the fifth and sixth innings to cut the deficit to three at 9-6. The second pair of scores came on a two-run home run by reigning Pittsburgh Minor League Player of the Year Max Moroff.
Cincinnati put up four combined runs in the seventh and eighth to complete the scoring on the day and put the game out of reach.
The Indians open their season on Thursday, April 7, at Columbus. The home opener is set for April 14.
SCORING SUMMARY
- Reds 1st (Reds 1, Pirates 0) -- B. Phillips triples to center field, E. Suarez scores.
- Pirates 1st (Pirates 2, Reds 1) -- D. Freese hits a home run to center field on a 3-2 pitch, A. McCutchen scores.
- Reds 3rd (Reds 8, Pirates 2) -- B. Phillips singles to right field, E. Suarez scores…J. Bruce grounds out to J. Jaso, J. Votto scores…T. Barnhart singles through the hole at second base, B. Phillips scores… S. Schebler doubles to left field, T. Barnhart scores; A. Duvall scores…B. Hamilton singles to third base, S. Schebler scores… J. Votto singles up the middle, B. Hamilton scores
- Reds 4th (Reds 9, Pirates 2) -- Z. Cozart reaches on fielding error by J. Rogers, T. Barnhart scores.
- Pirates 5th (Reds 9, Pirates 4) -- J. Rogers doubles through the hole at shortstop, M. Joyce scores; A. Frazier scores.
- Pirates 6th (Reds 9, Pirates 6) -- M. Moroff hits a home run to right field on a 0-1 pitch, D. Ortiz scores.
- Reds 7th (Pirates 6, Reds 12) -- J. Cave triples to right field, B. Smith scores; R. Cabrera scores. With S. Selsky batting, passed ball by C. Stewart, J. Cave scores.
- Reds 8th (Pirates 6, Reds 13) -- S. Mejias-Brean singles up the middle, I. De Jesus Jr. scores