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

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL AT PITTSBURGH - PITCHING CHANGE
PIT: MATT CAPPS (4-5, 2.09) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: CINCINNATI 4, PITTSBURGH 4

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: J BURTON (.000, 0 HR, 0 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL AT PITTSBURGH - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: M Capps relieved S Chacon.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: CINCINNATI 4
PITTSBURGH 4 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: J Burton (.000, 0-FOR-0)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL AT PITTSBURGH - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: N Hopper hit for J Burton.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: CINCINNATI 4
PITTSBURGH 4 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: N Hopper (.326, 0 HR, 7 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL AT PITTSBURGH - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY KEN GRIFFEY JR SCORED ALEX GONZALEZ.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, K GRIFFEY JR ON FIRST, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: CINCINNATI 5
PITTSBURGH 4 TOP, 9TH

DUE UP FOR CINCINNATI: B PHILLIPS (.289, 2-FOR-4)</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 0 3 0 1 1 5 14 1
PITTSBURGH 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 4 9 0 (BOT 9)

CURRENT PITCHERS: CIN - JARED BURTON (OUT)
PIT - MATT CAPPS

DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: R PAULINO (.245, 0-FOR-3)
C IZTURIS (.250, 1-FOR-3)
M CAPPS (1.000, 0 HR, 0 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI (5) VS PITTSBURGH (4) - MID 9TH - IN PROGRESS

CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Hamilton cf 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 .279
A Gonzalez ss 5 1 2 0 0 1 0 .271
K Griffey Jr rf 5 1 3 1 0 0 1 .286
B Phillips 2b 5 1 3 0 0 0 0 .290
A Dunn lf 2 0 0 0 3 1 1 .261
J Valentin c 5 1 1 0 0 1 7 .293
S Hatteberg 1b 2 1 2 0 1 0 0 .308
b-J Keppinger ph-1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .359
E Encarnacion 3b 4 0 2 1 0 1 5 .282
M Belisle p 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .075
a-J Cantu ph 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .438
G Majewski p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Bray p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Burton p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
c-N Hopper ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .324

Totals 38 5 14 3 4 5 17

a-singled to right center for M Belisle in the 6th; b-grounded to pitcher for
S Hatteberg in the 8th; c-flied out to right for J Burton in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - K Griffey Jr (22, M Morris); J Valentin (17, D Marte); B Phillips
(23, M Capps). RBI - J Cantu (5), E Encarnacion (57), K Griffey Jr (86). 2-out
RBI - J Cantu, E Encarnacion, K Griffey Jr. Runners left in scoring position, 2
out - J Hamilton 1, J Valentin 2, E Encarnacion 3. GIDP - K Griffey Jr, J
Valentin. Team LOB - 10.

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 4 1 1 0 0 1 1 .244
J Bautista 3b 4 1 2 2 0 1 1 .261
F Sanchez 2b 3 1 2 1 0 0 1 .313
A LaRoche 1b 4 0 1 1 0 1 2 .265
X Nady rf 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 .288
J Bay lf 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .256
R Paulino c 3 0 0 0 0 1 1 .245
C Izturis ss 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .250
M Morris p 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .200
J Grabow p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-M Kata ph 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .278
D Marte p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
S Chacon p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273
M Capps p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000

Totals 32 4 9 4 0 7 9

a-singled to left for J Grabow in the 7th.

BATTING: 2B - F Sanchez 2 (37, M Belisle 2). HR - J Bautista (13, 7th inning
off J Burton 1 on, 2 Out). RBI - A LaRoche (79), F Sanchez (67), J Bautista 2
(50). 2-out RBI - A LaRoche, F Sanchez, J Bautista 2. Runners left in scoring
position, 2 out - A LaRoche 1, X Nady 1. Team LOB - 5.

BASERUNNING: SB - N McLouth (15, 2nd base off M Belisle/J Valentin).

FIELDING: Outfield assists - J Bay (E Encarnacion at 2nd base). DP: 2 (C
Izturis-A LaRoche, A LaRoche-C Izturis-M Morris).


----------------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI - 000 003 011 -- 5
PITTSBURGH - 100 010 20 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
M Belisle 5 7 2 2 0 4 0 5.33
G Majewski 1 1/3 1 1 1 0 1 0 7.64
B Bray 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.35
J Burton 1 1/3 1 1 1 0 1 1 2.73

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
M Morris 5 2/3 9 3 3 3 4 0 4.41
J Grabow 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.45
D Marte 1/3 1 1 1 0 1 0 2.23
S Chacon 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.10
M Capps 1 3 1 1 1 0 0 2.19

WP - M Morris. IBB - A Dunn (by M Capps). HBP - F Sanchez (by M Belisle).
Pitches-strikes: M Belisle 81-53; G Majewski 15-11; B Bray 5-3; J Burton 21-13;
M Morris 96-59; J Grabow 14-8; D Marte 10-7; S Chacon 9-6; M Capps 37-22.
Ground balls-fly balls: M Belisle 3-7; G Majewski 1-2; B Bray 0-0; J Burton
1-2; M Morris 9-4; J Grabow 2-2; D Marte 0-0; S Chacon 1-0; M Capps 1-2.
Batters faced: M Belisle 22; G Majewski 5; B Bray 1; J Burton 5; M Morris 27; J
Grabow 4; D Marte 2; S Chacon 2; M Capps 7.

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 - PITCHING CHANGE
CIN: DAVID WEATHERS (2-4, 3.38) STARTING THE 9TH
CURRENT SCORE: CINCINNATI 5, PITTSBURGH 4

DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: R PAULINO (.245, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL AT PITTSBURGH - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: D Weathers relieved J Burton.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: CINCINNATI 5
PITTSBURGH 4 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: R Paulino (.245, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL AT PITTSBURGH - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: N Hopper in left field.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: CINCINNATI 5
PITTSBURGH 4 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: R Paulino (.245, 0-FOR-3)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL AT PITTSBURGH - MID INNING UPDATE
PLAY: J Phelps hit for M Capps.
SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 2 OUTS
CURRENT SCORE: CINCINNATI 5
PITTSBURGH 4 BOTTOM, 9TH

DUE UP FOR PITTSBURGH: J Phelps (.423, 5 HR, 15 RBI)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CINCINNATI 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 1 5 14 1
PITTSBURGH 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 4 11 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: CIN - MATT BELISLE, GARY MAJEWSKI (6TH), BILL BRAY (7TH), JARED
BURTON (7TH), DAVID WEATHERS (9TH) AND JAVIER VALENTIN

PIT - MATT MORRIS, JOHN GRABOW (6TH), DAMASO MARTE
(8TH), SHAWN CHACON (8TH), MATT CAPPS (9TH) AND RONNY PAULINO

HOME RUNS: CIN - NONE

PIT - JOSE BAUTISTA (13) OFF JARED BURTON IN THE 7TH, 1 ON</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">NL FINAL
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
- - - - - - - - - - - -
CINCINNATI 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 1 1 5 14 1
PITTSBURGH 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 0 0 4 11 0 (FINAL)

BATTERIES: CIN - MATT BELISLE, GARY MAJEWSKI (6TH), BILL BRAY (7TH), JARED
BURTON (7TH), DAVID WEATHERS (9TH) AND JAVIER VALENTIN

PIT - MATT MORRIS, JOHN GRABOW (6TH), DAMASO MARTE
(8TH), SHAWN CHACON (8TH), MATT CAPPS (9TH) AND RONNY PAULINO


WP - JARED BURTON (4-1)
LP - MATT CAPPS (4-6)
SAVE - DAVID WEATHERS (29)

HOME RUNS: CIN - NONE

PIT - JOSE BAUTISTA (13) OFF JARED BURTON IN THE 7TH, 1 ON


TIME: 3:08 ATT: 12,643

PROBABLES: PIT - TONY ARMAS (2-4, 6.93)
MIL - YOVANI GALLARDO (5-4, 4.86)

PROBABLES: CIN - TOM SHEARN (1-0, 3.86)
STL - ANTHONY REYES (2-13, 5.33)</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">CINCINNATI (5) VS PITTSBURGH (4) - FINAL

CINCINNATI ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
J Hamilton cf 5 0 0 0 0 0 2 .279
A Gonzalez ss 5 1 2 0 0 1 0 .271
K Griffey Jr rf 5 1 3 1 0 0 1 .286
B Phillips 2b 5 1 3 0 0 0 0 .290
A Dunn lf 2 0 0 0 3 1 1 .261
D Weathers p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Valentin c 5 1 1 0 0 1 7 .293
S Hatteberg 1b 2 1 2 0 1 0 0 .308
b-J Keppinger ph-1b 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 .359
E Encarnacion 3b 4 0 2 1 0 1 5 .282
M Belisle p 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 .075
a-J Cantu ph 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 .438
G Majewski p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
B Bray p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
J Burton p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
c-N Hopper ph-lf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .324

Totals 38 5 14 3 4 5 17

a-singled to right center for M Belisle in the 6th; b-grounded to pitcher for
S Hatteberg in the 8th; c-flied out to right for J Burton in the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - K Griffey Jr (22, M Morris); J Valentin (17, D Marte); B Phillips
(23, M Capps). RBI - J Cantu (5), E Encarnacion (57), K Griffey Jr (86). 2-out
RBI - J Cantu, E Encarnacion, K Griffey Jr. Runners left in scoring position, 2
out - J Hamilton 1, J Valentin 2, E Encarnacion 3. GIDP - K Griffey Jr, J
Valentin. Team LOB - 10.

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 5 1 2 0 0 1 1 .247
J Bautista 3b 4 1 2 2 0 1 1 .261
F Sanchez 2b 3 1 2 1 0 0 1 .313
A LaRoche 1b 4 0 1 1 0 1 2 .265
X Nady rf 4 0 0 0 0 2 1 .288
J Bay lf 4 0 1 0 0 0 0 .256
R Paulino c 4 0 0 0 0 1 1 .245
C Izturis ss 4 0 1 0 0 0 1 .249
M Morris p 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 .200
J Grabow p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
a-M Kata ph 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 .278
D Marte p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
S Chacon p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273
M Capps p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.000
b-J Phelps ph 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 .434

Totals 36 4 11 4 0 7 9

a-singled to left for J Grabow in the 7th; b-doubled to center for M Capps in
the 9th.

BATTING: 2B - F Sanchez 2 (37, M Belisle 2); J Phelps (4, D Weathers). HR - J
Bautista (13, 7th inning off J Burton 1 on, 2 Out). RBI - A LaRoche (79), F
Sanchez (67), J Bautista 2 (50). 2-out RBI - A LaRoche, F Sanchez, J Bautista
2. Runners left in scoring position, 2 out - A LaRoche 1, X Nady 1. Team LOB -
6.

BASERUNNING: SB - N McLouth (15, 2nd base off M Belisle/J Valentin).

FIELDING: Outfield assists - J Bay (E Encarnacion at 2nd base). DP: 2 (C
Izturis-A LaRoche, A LaRoche-C Izturis-M Morris).


----------------------------------------------------
CINCINNATI - 000 003 011 -- 5
PITTSBURGH - 100 010 200 -- 4
----------------------------------------------------

CINCINNATI ip h r er bb so hr era
M Belisle 5 7 2 2 0 4 0 5.33
G Majewski (H, 5) 1 1/3 1 1 1 0 1 0 7.64
B Bray (H, 2) 1/3 0 0 0 0 1 0 2.35
J Burton (W, 4-1; B, 2) 1 1/3 1 1 1 0 1 1 2.73
D Weathers (S, 29) 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 3.33

PITTSBURGH ip h r er bb so hr era
M Morris 5 2/3 9 3 3 3 4 0 4.41
J Grabow 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 0 3.45
D Marte (H, 13) 1/3 1 1 1 0 1 0 2.23
S Chacon (B, 6) 2/3 1 0 0 0 0 0 4.10
M Capps (L, 4-6) 1 3 1 1 1 0 0 2.19

WP - M Morris. IBB - A Dunn (by M Capps). HBP - F Sanchez (by M Belisle).
Pitches-strikes: M Belisle 81-53; G Majewski 15-11; B Bray 5-3; J Burton 21-13;
D Weathers 13-8; M Morris 96-59; J Grabow 14-8; D Marte 10-7; S Chacon 9-6; M
Capps 37-22. Ground balls-fly balls: M Belisle 3-7; G Majewski 1-2; B Bray 0-0;
J Burton 1-2; D Weathers 1-1; M Morris 9-4; J Grabow 2-2; D Marte 0-0; S Chacon
1-0; M Capps 1-2. Batters faced: M Belisle 22; G Majewski 5; B Bray 1; J Burton
5; D Weathers 4; M Morris 27; J Grabow 4; D Marte 2; S Chacon 2; M Capps 7.

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

T--3:08. Att--12,643.
Weather: 75 degrees, partly cloudy. Wind: 9 mph, out to
right.</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
NL
CINCINNATI 5
PITTSBURGH 4 FINAL</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CINCINNATI (5) AT PITTSBURGH (4) - HOW THEY SCORED
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

PITTSBURGH 1ST: N McLouth popped out to pitcher. J Bautista singled to
center. F Sanchez doubled to left, J Bautista thrown out at home. A LaRoche
singled to left, F Sanchez scored, A LaRoche to third on error by left fielder
A Dunn. X Nady struck out looking. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 1 Error) CINCINNATI 0,
PITTSBURGH 1.

PITTSBURGH 5TH: M Morris grounded out to second. N McLouth singled to
center. J Bautista struck out swinging, N McLouth stole second. F Sanchez
doubled to deep right, N McLouth scored. A LaRoche lined out to left. (1 Run,
2 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 0, PITTSBURGH 2.

CINCINNATI 6TH: K Griffey Jr singled to right. B Phillips singled to left,
K Griffey Jr to second. A Dunn walked, K Griffey Jr to third, B Phillips to
second. J Valentin grounded into double play, first to shortstop to pitcher,
K Griffey Jr scored, A Dunn out at second, B Phillips to third. B Phillips scored
on M Morris' wild pitch. S Hatteberg singled to right. E Encarnacion singled
to center, S Hatteberg to third. J Cantu hit for M Belisle. J Cantu singled to
right center, S Hatteberg scored, E Encarnacion to second. J Grabow relieved
M Morris. J Hamilton grounded out to first. (3 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors)
CINCINNATI 3, PITTSBURGH 2.

PITTSBURGH 7TH: C Izturis lined out to first. M Kata hit for J Grabow.
M Kata singled to left. B Bray relieved G Majewski. N McLouth struck out
swinging. J Burton relieved B Bray. J Bautista homered to left center, M Kata
scored. F Sanchez popped out to second. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 3, PITTSBURGH 4.

CINCINNATI 8TH: D Marte relieved J Grabow. A Dunn struck out swinging.
J Valentin doubled to deep center. J Keppinger hit for S Hatteberg. S Chacon
relieved D Marte. J Keppinger grounded out to pitcher. E Encarnacion singled
to left, J Valentin scored, E Encarnacion thrown out at second attempting to
advance on play. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 4, PITTSBURGH 4.

CINCINNATI 9TH: M Capps relieved S Chacon. N Hopper hit for J Burton.
N Hopper flied out to right. J Hamilton flied out to left. A Gonzalez singled
to center. K Griffey Jr singled to left, A Gonzalez scored. B Phillips
doubled to deep right, K Griffey Jr to third. A Dunn intentionally walked.
J Valentin grounded out to shortstop. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 5,
PITTSBURGH 4.</div>

 

NL: CINCINNATI at PITTSBURGH

<div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CINCINNATI (5) AT PITTSBURGH (4) - EVENT LOG
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cincinnati Starting Lineups -- J Hamilton CF, A Gonzalez SS, K Griffey Jr RF,
B Phillips 2B, A Dunn LF, J Valentin C, S Hatteberg 1B, E Encarnacion 3B, M
Belisle RHP.

Pittsburgh Starting Lineups -- N McLouth CF, J Bautista 3B, F Sanchez 2B,
A LaRoche 1B, X Nady RF, J Bay LF, R Paulino C, C Izturis SS, M Morris RHP.

Umpires -- Wally Bell (HP), Laz Diaz (1B), Mike Dimuro (2B), Chris Guccione (3B).

Gametime Weather: 75 degrees, Partly Cloudy, wind out to right at 9 mph.


CINCINNATI 1ST: J Hamilton grounded out to first. A Gonzalez singled to
left. K Griffey Jr grounded into double play, shortstop to first, A Gonzalez
out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 0, PITTSBURGH 0.

PITTSBURGH 1ST: N McLouth popped out to pitcher. J Bautista singled to
center. F Sanchez doubled to left, J Bautista thrown out at home. A LaRoche
singled to left, F Sanchez scored, A LaRoche to third on error by left fielder
A Dunn. X Nady struck out looking. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 1 Error) CINCINNATI 0,
PITTSBURGH 1.

CINCINNATI 2ND: B Phillips singled to center. A Dunn flied out to center.
J Valentin popped out to shortstop. S Hatteberg singled to deep right center,
B Phillips to third. E Encarnacion struck out looking. (0 Runs, 2 Hits,
0 Errors) CINCINNATI 0, PITTSBURGH 1.

PITTSBURGH 2ND: J Bay flied out to center. R Paulino flied out to right.
C Izturis singled to center. M Morris struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
0 Errors) CINCINNATI 0, PITTSBURGH 1.

CINCINNATI 3RD: M Belisle struck out looking. J Hamilton grounded out to
first. A Gonzalez grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CINCINNATI 0, PITTSBURGH 1.

PITTSBURGH 3RD: N McLouth flied out to left. J Bautista grounded out to
shortstop. F Sanchez hit by pitch. A LaRoche flied out to left. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 0, PITTSBURGH 1.

CINCINNATI 4TH: K Griffey Jr doubled to deep right. B Phillips flied out
to center, K Griffey Jr to third. A Dunn walked. J Valentin struck out
swinging. S Hatteberg walked, A Dunn to second. E Encarnacion grounded into
fielder's choice to pitcher, A Dunn out at third, S Hatteberg to second.
(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 0, PITTSBURGH 1.

PITTSBURGH 4TH: X Nady flied out to left. J Bay singled to center.
R Paulino struck out swinging. C Izturis grounded into fielder's choice to
second, J Bay out at second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 0,
PITTSBURGH 1.

CINCINNATI 5TH: M Belisle grounded out to third. J Hamilton flied out to
left. A Gonzalez struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 0,
PITTSBURGH 1.

PITTSBURGH 5TH: M Morris grounded out to second. N McLouth singled to
center. J Bautista struck out swinging, N McLouth stole second. F Sanchez
doubled to deep right, N McLouth scored. A LaRoche lined out to left. (1 Run,
2 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 0, PITTSBURGH 2.

CINCINNATI 6TH: K Griffey Jr singled to right. B Phillips singled to left,
K Griffey Jr to second. A Dunn walked, K Griffey Jr to third, B Phillips to
second. J Valentin grounded into double play, first to shortstop to pitcher,
K Griffey Jr scored, A Dunn out at second, B Phillips to third. B Phillips scored
on M Morris' wild pitch. S Hatteberg singled to right. E Encarnacion singled
to center, S Hatteberg to third. J Cantu hit for M Belisle. J Cantu singled to
right center, S Hatteberg scored, E Encarnacion to second. J Grabow relieved
M Morris. J Hamilton grounded out to first. (3 Runs, 5 Hits, 0 Errors)
CINCINNATI 3, PITTSBURGH 2.

PITTSBURGH 6TH: G Majewski relieved M Belisle. X Nady struck out swinging.
J Bay grounded out to shortstop. R Paulino flied out to right. (0 Runs,
0 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 3, PITTSBURGH 2.

CINCINNATI 7TH: A Gonzalez fouled out to first. K Griffey Jr fouled out to
catcher. B Phillips grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors)
CINCINNATI 3, PITTSBURGH 2.

PITTSBURGH 7TH: C Izturis lined out to first. M Kata hit for J Grabow.
M Kata singled to left. B Bray relieved G Majewski. N McLouth struck out
swinging. J Burton relieved B Bray. J Bautista homered to left center, M Kata
scored. F Sanchez popped out to second. (2 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 3, PITTSBURGH 4.

CINCINNATI 8TH: D Marte relieved J Grabow. A Dunn struck out swinging.
J Valentin doubled to deep center. J Keppinger hit for S Hatteberg. S Chacon
relieved D Marte. J Keppinger grounded out to pitcher. E Encarnacion singled
to left, J Valentin scored, E Encarnacion thrown out at second attempting to
advance on play. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 4, PITTSBURGH 4.

PITTSBURGH 8TH: J Keppinger at first base. A LaRoche struck out swinging.
X Nady grounded out to third. J Bay flied out to center. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
0 Errors) CINCINNATI 4, PITTSBURGH 4.

CINCINNATI 9TH: M Capps relieved S Chacon. N Hopper hit for J Burton.
N Hopper flied out to right. J Hamilton flied out to left. A Gonzalez singled
to center. K Griffey Jr singled to left, A Gonzalez scored. B Phillips
doubled to deep right, K Griffey Jr to third. A Dunn intentionally walked.
J Valentin grounded out to shortstop. (1 Run, 3 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 5,
PITTSBURGH 4.

PITTSBURGH 9TH: D Weathers relieved J Burton. N Hopper in left field.
R Paulino flied out to right. C Izturis grounded out to second. J Phelps hit
for M Capps. J Phelps doubled to center. N McLouth singled to right, J Phelps
tagged out at home. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) CINCINNATI 5, PITTSBURGH 4.</div>

 

Despite controversy, Gonzalez, Reds rally past Pirates

<h3>CINCINNATI 5, PITTSBURGH 4</h3>PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Alex Gonzalez scored the winning runfrom first on a bloop single by Ken Griffey Jr. in the ninthinning as the Cincinnati Reds won a wild and bizarre 5-4 contestagainst the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night.


Griffey and Brandon Phillips each had three hits for Cincinnati,which salvaged a split of the four-game series. Phillips alsomade a great throw from short right field to cut down thepotential tying run at home plate in the bottom half, preservingthe victory.


The Reds, who won for the eighth time in their past 10 games,had two runs taken away on an odd and rare appeal call earlierin the contest, but had any controversy rendered moot when theyrallied.


With two outs in the ninth inning and the scored tied at 4-4,Gonzalez, who had just reached base on a single, scored whenGriffey sliced a pop down the left field line off of Matt Capps(4-6). With shortstop Cesar Izturis, third baseman JoseBautista and left fielder Jason Bay converging, the ball droppedbetween Izturis and Bautista.


Gonzalez, running on the pitch, came all the way around to justbeat a tag by catcher Ronny Paulino to make it 5-4.

Jared Burton (4-1), the fourth of Cincinnati's five pitchers,earned the win by hurling 1 1/3 innings of relief.

Closer David Weathers struggled before nailing down his 29thsave. He retired the first two batters in the bottom of theninth before Josh Phelps, pinch hitting for Capps, doubled intoleft-center field. Nate McLouth then hit a short pop over theright side of the infield that fell into play.


However Phillips, hustling trying to make the catch, got to theball, spun and made a strong-armed throw on a line to catcherJavier Valentin, who applied the tag to a sliding Phelps to endthe game.


Bautista's two-run homer in the seventh had given the Pirates a4-3 lead, but Cincinnati tied it in the eighth on an EdwinEncarnacion double that drove in Valentin.


The Pirates have lost two in a row after a stretch in which theyhad won six of seven.


After Pittsburgh scored the game's first run when Adam LaRochesingled in Freddy Sanchez in the bottom of the first, the Redstook a 2-1 lead in the fourth - or so they thought. Ultimately,even though both runs were on the scoreboard, neither wouldcount.


With the bases loaded and two outs, Encarnacion singled to left.Griffey, who was on third, crossed home easily before AdamDunn beat the throw in from left fielder Bay as well.

But after play had settled, Pirates starter Matt Morris appealedto third base umpire Chris Guccione that Dunn did not touchthird. Morris threw to third baseman Bautista, who stepped onthird and Guccione ruled Dunn out.


Initially, the scoreboard showed that was the third out of theinning and the Reds had merely tied the game.


However, between innings, Reds interim manager Pete Mackanincame out to discuss the play with crew chief Wally Bell. Bellinformed Mackanin that neither run would count because the playat third was a force play, negating Griffey's run as well.

After Sanchez doubled in McLouth with two outs in the fifth toextend the Pirates' lead to 2-0, the Reds got their first runs -and they counted this time - in the sixth.


Griffey scored when Valentin grounded into a double play withthe bases loaded and nobody out. Phillips, who was on thirdafter the double play, scored on a wild pitch to knot the gameat 2-2.


Later in the inning, pinch hitter Jorge Cantu gave the Reds thelead when he drove in Scott Hatteberg with a single to right.

That ended the night for Morris. In his sixth start with thePirates since being acquired from San Francisco on July 31, the10-year veteran was charged with three runs on nine hits andthree walks in 5 2/3 innings, striking out four.


Reds starter Matt Belisle, who entered the game 3-0 this seasonagainst the Pirates, allowed two runs on seven hits with fourstrikeouts in five innings.

 

Despite controversy, Gonzalez, Reds rally past Pirates

<h3>CINCINNATI 5, PITTSBURGH 4</h3>By Chris Adamski
PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer


PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- Controversial calls and wild plays allover the field could not deter Alex Gonzalez and the CincinnatiReds.


Gonzalez scored the winning run from first on a bloop single byKen Griffey Jr. in the ninth inning as the Cincinnati Reds won awild and bizarre 5-4 contest against the Pittsburgh Pirates onThursday night.


Griffey and Brandon Phillips each had three hits for Cincinnati,which salvaged a split of the four-game series. Phillips alsomade a great throw from short right field to cut down thepotential tying run at home plate in the bottom half, preservingthe victory.


"I think this is the best (play) of my career," Phillips said."If you think about it, game on the line, making a good throw tohome plate. ... There's nothing sweeter to win the game. Itcan't get better than that obviously."


"That was a great way to win a game," Reds interim manager PeteMackanin said. "A tough way to lose one, too."


The Reds, who won for the eighth time in their past 10 games,had two runs taken away on an odd and rare appeal call earlierin the contest, but had any controversy rendered moot when theyrallied.


With two outs in the ninth inning and the scored tied at 4-4,Gonzalez, who had just reached base on a single, scored whenGriffey sliced a pop down the left field line off of Matt Capps(4-6). With shortstop Cesar Izturis, third baseman JoseBautista and left fielder Jason Bay converging, the ball droppedbetween Izturis and Bautista.


Gonzalez, running on the pitch, came all the way around to justbeat a tag by catcher Ronny Paulino to make it 5-4.

Jared Burton (4-1), the fourth of Cincinnati's five pitchers,earned the win by hurling 1 1/3 innings of relief.

Closer David Weathers struggled before nailing down his 29thsave. He retired the first two batters in the bottom of theninth before Josh Phelps, pinch hitting for Capps, doubled intoleft-center field. Nate McLouth then hit a short pop over theright side of the infield that fell into play.


However Phillips, hustling trying to make the catch, got to theball, spun and made a strong-armed throw on a line to catcherJavier Valentin, who applied the tag to a sliding Phelps to endthe game as Phelps was trying to dislodge the ball.

"I saw the ball bounce and Brandon pick it up," Weathers said."I looked over and saw (Pirates third base coach Jeff Cox)waving Phelps, and I'm like, 'A decent throw, he's out.' He wasbarely rounding third when Brandon had the ball and made agreat throw. ... I've been in the minors and major leagues, andI lost a bunch of games on those balls right there, but I'venever been saved by one."


"It was an amazing way to end a game like that," Valentin said."Real amazing."


Bautista's two-run homer in the seventh had given the Pirates a4-3 lead, but Cincinnati tied it in the eighth on an EdwinEncarnacion double that drove in Valentin.


The Pirates have lost two in a row after a stretch in which theyhad won six of seven.


"This was the best and the most exciting game of the year,"Pirates manager Jim Tracy said. "The way the game ended, I don'tknow if you'll ever see that play get made like that again."

After Pittsburgh scored the game's first run when Adam LaRochesingled in Freddy Sanchez in the bottom of the first, the Redstook a 2-1 lead in the fourth - or so they thought. Ultimately,even though both runs were on the scoreboard, neither wouldcount.


With the bases loaded and two outs, Encarnacion singled to left.Griffey, who was on third, crossed home easily before Adam Dunnbeat the throw in from left fielder Bay as well.


But after play had settled, Pirates starter Matt Morris appealedto third base umpire Chris Guccione that Dunn did not touchthird. Morris threw to third baseman Bautista, who stepped onthird and Guccione ruled Dunn out.


Initially, the scoreboard showed that was the third out of theinning and the Reds had merely tied the game.


However, between innings, Mackanin came out to discuss the playwith crew chief Wally Bell. Bell informed Mackanin that neitherrun would count because the play at third was a force play,negating Griffey's run as well.


"I had thought since there was an intervening play before theappeal, a run had scored," Mackanin said. "(Bell) said no,because it was a force out, it didn't apply. That hurt, but theguys battled back."


"To get some runs taken off the board, that's a rare occasion,"Morris said. "That helped us tremendously."


After Sanchez doubled in McLouth with two outs in the fifth toextend the Pirates' lead to 2-0, the Reds got their first runs -and they counted this time - in the sixth.


Griffey scored when Valentin grounded into a double play withthe bases loaded and nobody out. Phillips, who was on thirdafter the double play, scored on a wild pitch to knot the gameat 2-2.


Later in the inning, pinch hitter Jorge Cantu gave the Reds thelead when he drove in Scott Hatteberg with a single to right.

That ended the night for Morris. In his sixth start with thePirates since being acquired from San Francisco on July 31, the10-year veteran was charged with three runs on nine hits andthree walks in 5 2/3 innings, striking out four.


Reds starter Matt Belisle, who entered the game 3-0 this seasonagainst the Pirates, allowed two runs on seven hits with fourstrikeouts in five innings.