CINCINNATI _ The Pirates' starting pitcher went four innings Sunday. They allowed runners who eventually scored to reach third base on a throwing error and a wild pitch, they allowed the go-ahead run to come to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, and their best player had to be forced away from the home-plate umpire so his argument would not result in an ejection.
But they won, 5-2 against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park, thanks to some timely hitting, good relief pitching and a rough day for the Reds with runners in scoring position.
John Jaso hit a two-run double in the fourth inning, and Starling Marte singled in two runs in the ninth. The Reds went 1 for 12 with runners in scoring position.
After taking two of three from the Reds, the Pirates departed for Chicago, where they will face the first-place Cubs in Wrigley Field this week.
Adam Frazier left the game because of discomfort in his right hamstring after grounding into a double play. The Pirates are already without Gregory Polanco _ Jaso started in right field Sunday _ and could bring up another outfielder if Frazier has an extended absence.
In nine starts since throwing five scoreless innings July 4 in Philadelphia, Jameson Taillon has a 7.69 ERA. He finished the sixth inning twice in those nine starts. On three occasions he did not complete the fifth.
Sunday was one of those days. Taillon required 108 pitches to record 12 outs. He walked four batters, bringing his total to 12 in his past 14 innings. He walked 15 batters in 104 innings his rookie season.
It must be noted that Votto, the modern-day walk king, worked three of those walks (he walked in all five of his plate appearances). He drops anchor in the batter's box, spreads out his stance, chokes up four inches and spoils pitch after pitch. Taillon threw 31 pitches to Joey Votto _ 11 apiece in the first two plate appearances and nine in the third.
Somehow, Votto did not score after any of the three walks Taillon issued. Scooter Gennett doubled and scored in the second inning. That run was unearned. Elias Diaz tried to back-pick Gennett at second, but nobody was there. Sean Rodriguez got a glove on it, but the ball went into the outfield. The error put Gennett on third, where he could score on a sacrifice fly.
After Taillon walked Votto to put men on first and second in the fifth, A.J. Schugel replaced him. He struck out Adam Duvall, but the ball bounced away and the runners moved into scoring position. Cozart scored on a groundout, but Pirates relievers threw five scoreless innings to preserve the lead.
Reds starter Tyler Mahle also had control issues in his major league debut. He walked and allowed four runs in five innings. He walked two and hit a batter during the Pirates' two-run fourth, but the first out of the inning drew the most attention.
Andrew McCutchen grounded weakly to shortstop, and as he ran down the line he pointed back toward home plate. He returned to the plate to yell at crew chief Jeff Kellogg, apparently upset that he had asked for time and not been granted it. Third-base coach Joey Cora pushed him toward the dugout to keep him from getting ejected.
Then Mahle walked Josh Bell, hit Josh Harrison and gave up a two-run double to Jaso.
The following inning, McCutchen singled to drive in the Pirates' third run.
