COMON Network

By COMON Network Team

Final Score – Cincinnati Reds (18-22) 6 def. Pittsburgh Pirates (12-26) 2

WP: Amir Garrett (1-0) LP: Trevor Williams (1-6) SV: N/A

Eugenio Suarez hit three home runs as the Reds defeated the Pirates in the penultimate game of the weekend series at PNC Park Saturday, 6-2.

Tucker Barnhart”s solo homer in the third started the scoring before Suarez’s three-run shot later in the inning pushed the Cincinnati lead to 4-0. A sac fly by Gregory Polanco got the Bucs on the board in the bottom of the same inning and Jacob Stallings hit a solo shot in the fourth to cut the deficit to two. That would be all the Pirates would get despite a few chances as the game progressed. Suarez hit solo homers in the sixth and eighth innings to close the scoring.

During the game, Pirates’ centerfielder Anthony Alford left the game with a fractured elbow after a collision with the centerfield wall.

The series concludes tomorrow when the two teams meet at 1:35 p.m.

COMON Network Team Commentary

KYLE DAWSON

• What a tough break for Anthony Alford. I, along with a lot of other Pirates fans who are still watching this team, was looking forward to what Alford could do the rest of the month after what wasn’t a ridiculously impressive near handful of games, but a group of outings that was pretty solid with flashes of really good from the newly-acquired outfielder.
• How impressive was Eugenio Suarez tonight? Sometimes you just tip the cap. This is one of those times. It’s the first three homer night against the Bucs since Paul DeJong did it for the Cardinals on July 24, 2019.
• Another night goes by and again Erik Gonzalez looked like the only hitter with a pulse. A three-hit night for tonight’s third baseman and another 0-for for Josh Bell and an error. Trust me, he’s not the only one that’s been disappointing. I need to see more from Bryan Reynolds, Gregory Polanco and Kevin Newman. I just have to.
• I’m going to take a page from Joe’s book for my final note and it’s irrelevant to the Bucs tonight… Mike Trout hit his 300th career home run tonight. What a waste of a guy who could quite possibly go down as the best player ever. The Angels are horrible, and it’s really annoying to watch Trout’s talent essentially waste away on a really bad team.

Player of the Game – Eugenio Suarez (CIN)

DONNY CHEDRICK

• Suarez steals the show. Eugenio Suarez has a big night as the Reds beat the Bucs at PNC Park. Three homers in consecutive at bats in the 6-2 final, his fourth home run in the last two days. Dominance. Let’s stop him tomorrow, boys. Or hope he isn’t in the lineup.
• Williams’ exit. Somewhat of an odd moment in the top of inning number six when Derek Shelton came out to seemingly take his starter out of the game. Except that didn’t happen. Trevor Williams, well over 100 pitches, did not exit the game and instead finished the sixth inning Saturday night with the score 5-2 Cincinnati. 111 pitches in total for Williams, the highest he has thrown this season, and I’m not sure if he bought himself a few more when Shelton came out to the mound. It wouldn’t be the first time a pitcher did that and Shelton will probably play it off when asked about it, but something I haven’t seen from a Pirates’ pitcher in recent memory.
• Another good night for Gonzalez. Erik Gonzalez has found more of a grove in a Pirates’ uniform this season. Another multi-hit game, this time a three-hit performance. A pair of singles and a double along with one walk. Four times on base for Gonzalez who continues to hold claim as to why he should be the starting shortstop.

Player of the Game – Eugenio Suarez (CIN)