Jeff Karstens pitched well enough, but two costly errors by Chase d'Arnaud and an inability to capatilize with runners in scoring position allowed Cincinnati to escape Pittsburgh with a 3-1 triumph Wednesday afternoon at PNC Park.
Pittsburgh (51-45) scored its lone run in the fourth inning when Neil Walker walked to lead off the inning and scored on Andrew McCutchen's RBI double to the wall in right centerfield. I thought the ball was going to clear the wall, but it was good enough for two bases.
Lyle Overbay couldn't move McCutchen to third and the Reds' Johnny Cueto (6-3) got out of the inning.
That was just one play that realed me. Overbay has to move the man to third. When you have a man in scoring position with nobody out, you have to score. The Pirates need to take advantage of those opportunities. They don't have enough power bats in the lineup to negate poor fundamental mistakes.
Cincinnati (48-50) answered with a run in the fifth when Cueto scored on Edgar Renteria's two-out single. The Reds' starter reached base after d'Arnaud made his second error of the game. I know Ronny Cedeno isn't the best shortstop, although I believe he could do better than d'Arnaud, who is batting .225 and has made seven errors this season. Cedeno has hit .252 before being injured and made five errors at SS.
D'Arnaud once told Pete Rose he would break his MLB hits record. D'Arnaud was 18 at the time and said he meant it as a joke. I don't know if he did or not, but he has a long way to go before he can catch Rose. The rookie has 19 hits in 20 games this year.
I apologize for digressing. Back to the game.
Karstens (8-5) allowed three runs, one earned, in seven innings. He gave up seven hits and lowered his ERA to 2.28.
The Pirates couldn't rally and were 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Their best chance came in the seventh when an error on a ball hit by Michael McKenry and a single by Matt Diaz put runners at first and second with nobody out.
Alex Presley failed to advance the runners on a poorly-placed bunt and Cincinnati got out of the inning. Red closer Francisco Cordero picked up his 19th save with a scoreless ninth.
Pittsburgh has Thursday off before hosting St. Louis in a pivitol three-game set at PNC Park.
I didn't quite get having Presley bunt with no outs and when he has been the hot hand hitting these past few weeks. Then again, quite a few of Hurdle's hunches have paid off this year, so I'm not going to be overly critical there.
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