PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Mike Leake worked eight innings for his sixth straight victory over Pittsburgh and Marlon Byrd homered for the second game in a row as the Cincinnati Reds beat the skidding Pirates 3-0 on Wednesday night.
Leake (2-1) allowed six hits and has not lost to the Pirates in 15 starts, dating to 2012. He struck out two, had no walks and also had an RBI double for the 71st hit of his six-year career.
The Reds' Brandon Phillips had three singles, including one that hugged the third-base line in the fourth inning and scored Todd Frazier, who had tripled, with the game's first run. Phillips scored on Leake's single, then Byrd led off the fifth inning with his fifth home run of the season.
 
Leake, Byrd lift Reds over skidding Pirates 3-0
 
Byrd had two of the Reds' 10 hits.
Aroldis Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth for his sixth save, finishing the seven-hitter.
April's NL Pitcher of the Month Gerrit Cole (4-1) lost his first start in May, and the Pirates lost their fifth straight game in a row. Cole surrendered three runs and eight hits in five innings.
Rookie shortstop Jung Ho Kang had two hits, but the Pirates lost for the seventh time in eight games. They have scored seven runs in those losses while going 3-for-37 with runners in scoring position.
VOTTO BUMPS UMP
Reds first baseman Joey Votto was ejected and then made contact with home plate umpire Chris Conroy after striking out to end the third inning.
Votto flung his bat and helmet to the ground then said something to Conroy as he walked to his position and was tossed.
Votto charged toward Conroy and the two bumped chests before Reds manager Bryan Price could intervene.
Making contact with an umpire often results in discipline from Major League Baseball such as a suspension and fine.
 

Comments are closed.