PITTSBURGH -- Chris Heisey connected for two home runs, including the one that gave the Reds the lead in the ninth inning for a 3-2 series-salvaging win over the Pirates.
It was a 2-2 game in the Cincinnati ninth with one out when Heisey lifted a 1-1 Jared Hughes fastball inside the left-field foul pole for his seventh homer of the season. It also gave Heisey, who got a start in right field in place of Jay Bruce, the fifth multi-homer game of his career.
 
Heisey's second homer lifts Reds over Pirates
 
Reds starter Johnny Cueto emerged with a victory after he pitched eight innings and allowed two runs, nine hits and one walk with six strikeouts. It was the 12th time this season Cueto pitched at least eight innings and gave up two earned runs or fewer.
That didn't look like a possibility for him, as Cueto's day started off in rocky fashion. Cincinnati native Josh Harrison stung Cueto's very first pitch in the first for a home run to left field. With one out in the second inning, Jordy Mercer lifted a 2-2 pitch to the left-field seats for a homer and a 2-0 Pittsburgh lead.
For the third straight game, the Reds were held hitless through three innings, this time by left-hander Francisco Liriano. Todd Frazier collected the first hit with a two-out single in the fourth. The deficit was erased in the two-run fifth.
Ryan Ludwick led off the fifth with a walk. Next came Heisey, who hit a first-pitch changeup from Liriano for a two-run homer to left field.
Cincinnati picked up only two more hits -- both singles -- against Liriano, who retired seven of his last nine batters upon completing seven innings. But they finally broke through against the bullpen to avoid being swept in the three-game series.
Mark Sheldon / MLB.com
 

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