GAME THREAD: NL: CINCINNATI (61-72) at PITTSBURGH (59-73)

NL: CINCINNATI (61-72) at PITTSBURGH (59-73)

<h3>Reds look to secure series split with Pirates</h3>

<div class="pre">Cincinnati (61-72) at Pittsburgh (59-73) 7:05 pm EDT</div>

PITTSBURGH (Ticker) - Rebounding nicely on Wednesday from beingon the wrong end of a doubleheader sweep the day before, theCincinnati Reds will now aim for a series split when theyconclude a four-game set with the Pittsburgh Pirates onThursday.


Dropping both games of Tuesday's doubleheader by a total ofthree runs, the Reds bounced back behind ace Aaron Harang, whotossed a two-hitter in an 8-0 victory for his fourth careershutout.


The win was Cincinnati's seventh win in nine games as itcontinues to jockey for fourth place in the National LeagueCentral with the Pirates.


The Reds' fate in the series finale will rest in the hands ofMatt Belisle (7-8, 5.39 ERA), who has enjoyed a great deal ofsuccess against Thursday's opponent. He is 6-1 with a 3.27 ERAin 16 career games - four starts - against the the Pirates.

The righthander is looking to win a career-high third straightdecision after Saturday's 11-7 victory over the Florida Marlins.He allowed four runs and eight hits with a career-high ninestrikeouts over seven-plus innings.


The Pirates will turn to Matt Morris (8-8, 4.40) to secure theteam's fourth straight series win. The veteran righthanderpicked up his first winning decision since joining Pittsburgh atthe trading deadline on Saturday, yielding a run and four hitsover six innings of a 4-1 triumph over the Houston Astros.

The win snapped a 12-start winless streak for Morris, who is 8-6with a 4.15 ERA in 23 career games - 21 starts - against theReds.

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI AT PITTSBURGH -- LINEUPS

CINCINNATI PITTSBURGH
AVG HR RBI AVG HR RBI
Josh Hamilton CF .285 17 41 Nate Mclouth CF .244 10 28
Alex Gonzalez SS .269 16 53 Jose Bautista 3B .259 12 48
Ken Griffey Jr RF .283 29 85 Freddy Sanchez 2B .311 11 66
Brandon Phillips 2B .287 26 79 Adam Laroche 1B .265 19 78
Adam Dunn LF .263 36 91 Xavier Nady RF .291 17 65
Javier Valentin C .296 2 30 Jason Bay LF .256 20 82
Scott Hatteberg 1B .304 10 46 Ronny Paulino C .247 9 40
Edwin Encarnacion 3B .279 10 56 Cesar Izturis SS .249 0 10
Matt Belisle RHP .079 0 1 Matt Morris RHP .208 1 3
(7-8, 5.39) (8-8, 4.40)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL AT PITTSBURGH
WARMUPS: CIN - MATT BELISLE (7-8, 5.39)
PIT - MATT MORRIS (8-8, 4.40)

UMPIRES: HP - WALLY BELL
1B - LAZ DIAZ
2B - MIKE DIMURO
3B - CHRIS GUCCIONE

WEATHER: 77 Degrees, partly cloudy
WIND: 9 mph, out to right</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL AT PITTSBURGH
STARTING BATS: CIN - MATT BELISLE AND JAVIER VALENTIN
PIT - MATT MORRIS AND RONNY PAULINO

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: J HAMILTON (.285, 17 HR, 41 RBI)
A GONZALEZ (.269, 16 HR, 53 RBI)
K GRIFFEY J (.283, 29 HR, 85 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CINCINNATI 0 0 1 0
PITTSBURGH 0 0 0 (BOT 1)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CIN - MATT BELISLE
PIT - MATT MORRIS

DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: N MCLOUTH (.244, 10 HR, 28 RBI)
J BAUTISTA (.259, 12 HR, 48 RBI)
F SANCHEZ (.311, 11 HR, 66 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI (0) VS PITTSBURGH (0) - MID 1ST - IN PROGRESS

CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Hamilton cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .284
A Gonzalez ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .271
K Griffey Jr rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .282
B Phillips 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .287
A Dunn lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .263
J Valentin c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .296
S Hatteberg 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .304
E Encarnacion 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .279
M Belisle p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .079

Totals 3 0 1 0 0 0 1

BATTING: GIDP - K Griffey Jr. Team LOB - 0.


PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N McLouth cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .244
J Bautista 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .259
F Sanchez 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .311
A LaRoche 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .265
X Nady rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .291
J Bay lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .256
R Paulino c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247
C Izturis ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .249
M Morris p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .208

Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

BATTING: Team LOB - 0.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (C Izturis-A LaRoche).


----------------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI - 0 -- 0
PITTSBURGH - -- 0
----------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
M Belisle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 5.39

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
M Morris 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.38

Pitches-strikes: M Morris 9-6. Ground balls-fly balls: M Morris 3-0. Batters
faced: M Morris 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Wally Bell. 1B--Laz Diaz. 2B--Mike Dimuro. 3B--Chris Guccione.

Weather: 75 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 9 mph, out to right.</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL AT PITTSBURGH
CONFIRMED STARTERS: CIN - MATT BELISLE
PIT - MATT MORRIS</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL AT PITTSBURGH - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY ADAM LAROCHE SCORED FREDDY SANCHEZ.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, A LAROCHE ON THIRD, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: CINCINNATI 0
PITTSBURGH 1 BOTTOM, 1ST

DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: X NADY (.291, 17 HR, 65 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CINCINNATI 0 0 1 1
PITTSBURGH 1 1 3 0 (TOP 2)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CIN - MATT BELISLE
PIT - MATT MORRIS

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: B PHILLIPS (.287, 26 HR, 79 RBI)
A DUNN (.263, 36 HR, 91 RBI)
J VALENTIN (.296, 2 HR, 30 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI (0) VS PITTSBURGH (1) - END 1ST - IN PROGRESS

CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Hamilton cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .284
A Gonzalez ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .271
K Griffey Jr rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .282
B Phillips 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .287
A Dunn lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .263
J Valentin c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .296
S Hatteberg 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .304
E Encarnacion 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .279
M Belisle p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .079

Totals 3 0 1 0 0 0 1

BATTING: GIDP - K Griffey Jr. Team LOB - 0.

FIELDING: E - A Dunn (5, bobble). Outfield assists - A Dunn (J Bautista at
Home).


PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N McLouth cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .243
J Bautista 3b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .261
F Sanchez 2b 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 .312
A LaRoche 1b 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .267
X Nady rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .290
J Bay lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .256
R Paulino c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247
C Izturis ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .249
M Morris p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .208

Totals 5 1 3 1 0 1 2

BATTING: 2B - F Sanchez (36, M Belisle). RBI - A LaRoche (79). 2-out RBI - A
LaRoche. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - X Nady 1. Team LOB - 1.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (C Izturis-A LaRoche).


----------------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI - 0 -- 0
PITTSBURGH - 1 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
M Belisle 1 3 1 1 0 1 0 5.41

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
M Morris 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.38

Pitches-strikes: M Belisle 22-16; M Morris 9-6. Ground balls-fly balls: M
Belisle 0-1; M Morris 3-0. Batters faced: M Belisle 5; M Morris 3.

UMPIRES: HP--Wally Bell. 1B--Laz Diaz. 2B--Mike Dimuro. 3B--Chris Guccione.

Weather: 75 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 9 mph, out to right.</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CINCINNATI 0 0 0 3 1
PITTSBURGH 1 1 3 0 (BOT 2)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CIN - MATT BELISLE
PIT - MATT MORRIS

DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: J BAY (.256, 20 HR, 82 RBI)
R PAULINO (.247, 9 HR, 40 RBI)
C IZTURIS (.249, 0 HR, 10 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI (0) VS PITTSBURGH (1) - MID 2ND - IN PROGRESS

CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Hamilton cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .284
A Gonzalez ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .271
K Griffey Jr rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .282
B Phillips 2b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .289
A Dunn lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .262
J Valentin c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .294
S Hatteberg 1b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .306
E Encarnacion 3b 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .279
M Belisle p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .079

Totals 8 0 3 0 0 1 5

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - E Encarnacion 1. GIDP - K
Griffey Jr. Team LOB - 2.

FIELDING: E - A Dunn (5, bobble). Outfield assists - A Dunn (J Bautista at
Home).


PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N McLouth cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .243
J Bautista 3b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .261
F Sanchez 2b 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 .312
A LaRoche 1b 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .267
X Nady rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .290
J Bay lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .256
R Paulino c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247
C Izturis ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .249
M Morris p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .208

Totals 5 1 3 1 0 1 2

BATTING: 2B - F Sanchez (36, M Belisle). RBI - A LaRoche (79). 2-out RBI - A
LaRoche. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - X Nady 1. Team LOB - 1.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (C Izturis-A LaRoche).


----------------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI - 00 -- 0
PITTSBURGH - 1 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
M Belisle 1 3 1 1 0 1 0 5.41

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
M Morris 2 3 0 0 0 1 0 4.35

Pitches-strikes: M Belisle 22-16; M Morris 24-16. Ground balls-fly balls: M
Belisle 0-1; M Morris 3-2. Batters faced: M Belisle 5; M Morris 8.

UMPIRES: HP--Wally Bell. 1B--Laz Diaz. 2B--Mike Dimuro. 3B--Chris Guccione.

Weather: 75 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 9 mph, out to right.</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CINCINNATI 0 0 0 3 1
PITTSBURGH 1 0 1 4 0 (TOP 3)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CIN - MATT BELISLE
PIT - MATT MORRIS

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: M BELISLE (.079, 0 HR, 1 RBI)
J HAMILTON (.284, 0-FOR-1)
A GONZALEZ (.271, 1-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI (0) VS PITTSBURGH (1) - END 2ND - IN PROGRESS

CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Hamilton cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .284
A Gonzalez ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .271
K Griffey Jr rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .282
B Phillips 2b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .289
A Dunn lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .262
J Valentin c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .294
S Hatteberg 1b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .306
E Encarnacion 3b 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .279
M Belisle p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .079

Totals 8 0 3 0 0 1 5

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - E Encarnacion 1. GIDP - K
Griffey Jr. Team LOB - 2.

FIELDING: E - A Dunn (5, bobble). Outfield assists - A Dunn (J Bautista at
Home).


PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N McLouth cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .243
J Bautista 3b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .261
F Sanchez 2b 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 .312
A LaRoche 1b 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .267
X Nady rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .290
J Bay lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .255
R Paulino c 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247
C Izturis ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .252
M Morris p 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .204

Totals 9 1 4 1 0 2 3

BATTING: 2B - F Sanchez (36, M Belisle). RBI - A LaRoche (79). 2-out RBI - A
LaRoche. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - X Nady 1. Team LOB - 2.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (C Izturis-A LaRoche).


----------------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI - 00 -- 0
PITTSBURGH - 10 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
M Belisle 2 4 1 1 0 2 0 5.37

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
M Morris 2 3 0 0 0 1 0 4.35

Pitches-strikes: M Belisle 34-25; M Morris 24-16. Ground balls-fly balls: M
Belisle 0-3; M Morris 3-2. Batters faced: M Belisle 9; M Morris 8.

UMPIRES: HP--Wally Bell. 1B--Laz Diaz. 2B--Mike Dimuro. 3B--Chris Guccione.

Weather: 75 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 9 mph, out to right.</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CINCINNATI 0 0 0 0 3 1
PITTSBURGH 1 0 1 4 0 (BOT 3)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CIN - MATT BELISLE
PIT - MATT MORRIS

DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: N MCLOUTH (.243, 0-FOR-1)
J BAUTISTA (.261, 1-FOR-1)
F SANCHEZ (.312, 1-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI (0) VS PITTSBURGH (1) - MID 3RD - IN PROGRESS

CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Hamilton cf 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .282
A Gonzalez ss 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .270
K Griffey Jr rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .282
B Phillips 2b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .289
A Dunn lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .262
J Valentin c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .294
S Hatteberg 1b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .306
E Encarnacion 3b 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .279
M Belisle p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .077

Totals 11 0 3 0 0 2 5

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - E Encarnacion 1. GIDP - K
Griffey Jr. Team LOB - 2.

FIELDING: E - A Dunn (5, bobble). Outfield assists - A Dunn (J Bautista at
Home).


PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N McLouth cf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .243
J Bautista 3b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .261
F Sanchez 2b 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 .312
A LaRoche 1b 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .267
X Nady rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .290
J Bay lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .255
R Paulino c 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247
C Izturis ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .252
M Morris p 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .204

Totals 9 1 4 1 0 2 3

BATTING: 2B - F Sanchez (36, M Belisle). RBI - A LaRoche (79). 2-out RBI - A
LaRoche. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - X Nady 1. Team LOB - 2.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (C Izturis-A LaRoche).


----------------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI - 000 -- 0
PITTSBURGH - 10 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
M Belisle 2 4 1 1 0 2 0 5.37

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
M Morris 3 3 0 0 0 2 0 4.32

Pitches-strikes: M Belisle 34-25; M Morris 31-22. Ground balls-fly balls: M
Belisle 0-3; M Morris 5-2. Batters faced: M Belisle 9; M Morris 11.

UMPIRES: HP--Wally Bell. 1B--Laz Diaz. 2B--Mike Dimuro. 3B--Chris Guccione.

Weather: 75 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 9 mph, out to right.</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CINCINNATI 0 0 0 0 3 1
PITTSBURGH 1 0 0 1 4 0 (TOP 4)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CIN - MATT BELISLE
PIT - MATT MORRIS

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: K GRIFFEY JR (.282, 0-FOR-1)
B PHILLIPS (.289, 1-FOR-1)
A DUNN (.262, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI (0) VS PITTSBURGH (1) - END 3RD - IN PROGRESS

CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Hamilton cf 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .282
A Gonzalez ss 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .270
K Griffey Jr rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .282
B Phillips 2b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .289
A Dunn lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .262
J Valentin c 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .294
S Hatteberg 1b 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .306
E Encarnacion 3b 1 0 0 0 0 1 2 .279
M Belisle p 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 .077

Totals 11 0 3 0 0 2 5

BATTING: Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - E Encarnacion 1. GIDP - K
Griffey Jr. Team LOB - 2.

FIELDING: E - A Dunn (5, bobble). Outfield assists - A Dunn (J Bautista at
Home).


PITTSBURGH ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
N McLouth cf 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .243
J Bautista 3b 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 .260
F Sanchez 2b 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 .312
A LaRoche 1b 2 0 1 1 0 0 1 .266
X Nady rf 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .290
J Bay lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .255
R Paulino c 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247
C Izturis ss 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .252
M Morris p 1 0 0 0 0 1 1 .204

Totals 12 1 4 1 0 2 4

BATTING: 2B - F Sanchez (36, M Belisle). RBI - A LaRoche (79). 2-out RBI - A
LaRoche. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - X Nady 1. Team LOB - 3.

FIELDING: DP: 1 (C Izturis-A LaRoche).


----------------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI - 000 -- 0
PITTSBURGH - 100 -- 1
----------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
M Belisle 3 4 1 1 0 2 0 5.34

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
M Morris 3 3 0 0 0 2 0 4.32

HBP - F Sanchez (by M Belisle). Pitches-strikes: M Belisle 45-30; M Morris
31-22. Ground balls-fly balls: M Belisle 1-5; M Morris 5-2. Batters faced: M
Belisle 13; M Morris 11.

UMPIRES: HP--Wally Bell. 1B--Laz Diaz. 2B--Mike Dimuro. 3B--Chris Guccione.

Weather: 75 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 9 mph, out to right.</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL AT PITTSBURGH - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY EDWIN ENCARNACION SCORED KEN GRIFFEY JR AND ADAM
DUNN.
SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, E ENCARNACION ON FIRST, S HATTEBERG ON
SECOND, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: CINCINNATI 2
PITTSBURGH 1 TOP, 4TH

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: M BELISLE (.077, 0-FOR-1)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL CINCINNATI AT PITTSBURGH
NOTE: CINCINNATI SECOND BASEMAN BRANDON PHILLIPS SINGLED IN
THE SECOND INNING TO EXTEND HIS HITTING STREAK TO 10 GAMES.</div>