Reigning Most Valuable Player Andrew McCutchen scored the seventh inning run that allowed the Pirates to win the suspended game, 8-7.
The game was halted by ran at 9:38 p.m. Monday with the score tied, 6-6 after six innings.
Sam LeCure was told just after 5:30 that he would start the seventh inning by pitching to Travis Snider.
"We knew what we wanted to do last night," first year manager and former pitching coach, Bryan Price said. "Relievers usually don't like to know that they're pitching. They are used to being told just before it happens. He had more notice than he usually does."
McCutchen doubled after Snider took the called third strike. Pedro Alvarez struck out but Russel Martin singled to drive McCutchen home.
Ramon Santiago was placed in the ninth hole and at shortstop as part of a double switch that removed Zack Cozart from the game. Santiago singled, advanced to second on a sacrifice by Billy Hamilton and went to third when Joey Votto grounded out to firstbase unassisted. Brandon Phillips struck out swinging against Tony Watson.
LeCure pitched a scoreless eighth after Clint Barmes singled and Travis Ishikawa walked as a pinch hitter for Watson. LeCure got Starling Marte on a swinging third strike and Snider on a ground out.
Jay Bruce walked with one out against Mark Melancon in the eighth but was stranded at second base.
Nick Chrisitiani allowed McCutchen's third hit of the game but held the Pirates scoreless in the ninth.
Roger Bernadina batted for Christiani to open the ninth. He struck out.
Heisey popped out for Santiago, leaving the Reds without a shortstop. The only position player left was catcher Brayan Pena. Billy Hamilton struck out swinging on a 3-2 pitch by Jason Grilli, who recorded his fourth save.
Had the Reds' tied the game, Price would have had to come up with a shortstop.
"Hamilton would have moved to short," Price said. "We have confidence in him even though he hasn't played there in awhile. You have to do what you need to do to try to win there. We were hoping Bernadina or Heisey would hit a home run or double to tie it up."
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