Brady Singer Remains Perfect As Reds' Starter Jeimer Candelario Found His Timing

 

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Dateline: 1,209 Kilometers from the Gulf of Mexico

Brady Singer won his third decision as a Red. The Reds scored early and held off the Pittsburgh Pirates for a 5-3 win.

It breaks a tie between the two teams. The Reds are 6-8. The Pirates fall to 5-9.

Jeimer Candelario hit his first home run of the season to put the Reds up, 3-0.

“I feel like I’m ready to hit,” Candelario said. “That’s where I got to be so I can make my adjustments from there. It’s always good to be on time.”

Pittsburgh starter Bailey Falter walked the first three batters of the game but Spencer Steer hit into a double play that scored TJ Friedl. Candelario picked on a 2-0 pitch to snap an 0-for-15 slump.

While Reds’ starter, Brady Singer was putting up zeroes, the Reds running game produced two unearned runs. Blake Dunn walked with one out. Elly De La Cruz forced him at second base. De La Cruz took off and stole second. The Pirates starting catcher, Joey Bart, left the game in the top of the second. Endy Rodriguez, who started the game at first base, took over behind the plate. Steer walked. Falter’s pitch to Candelario was in the dirt. De La Cruz took off for third. Rodriguez’ throw went down the left and both runners scored.

“I thought both pitchers had a tough time getting a feel of the ball. It was slick because of the cold,” said Francona of the 48 degree night at gametime. “There were some deep counts, some walks. I was hoping to get six.”

Singer pitched five innings, allowing three earned runs on two hits but he walked three. Singer walked three in 12 innings coming into the game.

“There were a lot of balls, a lot of walks. I was behind in counts,” Singer said. “I had to battle through and had good defense behind me. We won and that’s all that counts.”

The Reds had one hit through three innings but led, 5-0.

The Pirates had no hits entering the fifth inning. With one out, Jack Suwinski walked. Tommy Pham, who has played for 11 teams, including the Reds, doubled to score Suwinski. Pham came into the game with a .370 average against the Reds since June 18, 2021. Adam Frazier brought the Pirates within two runs with a home run, his first into the Pirates bullpen.

“After the kid hit the home run, he worked pretty hard. What he’s given us is good. He works fast and is easy to play behind,” Francona said.

Taylor Rogers relieved Singer in the top of the sixth. He pitched a scoreless inning. Rodriguez hit a line drive off the left field wall. Gavin Lux fielded it, reeled and nailed Rodriguez at second base. The out call was upheld on review.

Graham Ashcraft walked the leadoff batter in the seventh but retired five straight, allowing a single to Bryan Reynolds but got Andrew McCutchen to ground out to third base.

Emilio Pagan, who is becoming the closer in the absence of Alexis Diaz, entered the ninth, earning his third save.