In the first postseason game in Pittsburgh in 21 years, Russell Martin homered twice and Francisco Liriano pitched seven strong innings to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates over the Cincinnati Reds 6-2 in the NL Wild Card Game at PNC Park.
NL Wild Card GIF recap
Justin K. AllerMarte came around to score when Neil Walker doubled. Walker scored later in the inning as the Pirates took a 5-1 lead.
Russell Martin joined elite company in the seventh inning as he launched another home run in the seventh inning to push the lead to 6-1. That homer made Martin the first NL catcher since 1986 to hit two home runs in a playoff game.
Read Article >Brandon Phillips on Reds: ‘We choked’
Justin K. Aller“We deserve everything, we choked. We did. I don’t care how people really feel, how my teammates how they feel about what I’m saying right now because it’s the truth,” Phillips said after the game, as shown on the TBS broadcast. “Either you win or you go home, and I’m going home. The last place I want to be is on my couch. I don’t want to do that, but it happened today. It sucks, man. It’s terrible.”
The Reds lost their last five games of the regular season, including getting swept at home by the Pirates, which secured home field advantage Tuesday night for Pittsburgh. Phillips was 0-for-4 on the night and botched a potential double play ball in the fourth inning, allowing another Pirates run to score.
Read Article >Pirates celebrate Wild Card win over Reds
The Pittsburgh Pirates have shaken their losing demons with a 6-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds in the NL Wild Card game.
That means only one thing: They get to enjoy a well-deserved celebration before heading on to play the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Divisional Series.
Read Article >Pirates top Reds to win NL Wild Card, 6-2
Jared WickerhamThe Reds tried to mount a comeback in the eighth inning, but couldn’t score after Shin-Soo Choo’s home run cut the lead to 6-2. Even Choo’s home run didn’t come easy, as it was under review after a fan touched it.
Here is Martin celebrating with closer Jason Grilli after the final out of the game:
Read Article >Martin’s 2nd home run puts him in select company
Home runs give Pirates 2-0 lead in NL WC game
Jared WickerhamMarlon Byrd, Russell Martin homer, PIT leads 2-0
Justin K. AllerFor more on this game, follow the stream or head over to Bucs Dugout or Red Reporter.
Read Article >Reds injury updates: Latos and Phillips sore
Justin K. AllerThere is a good possibility that Latos will undergo offseason arthroscopic surgery to clean up his elbow once Cincinnati’s post-season is over. Such a surgery would not threaten his availability for spring training.
Manager Dusty Baker told reporters Monday that second baseman Brandon Phillips will start Tuesday’s wild card play-in game, reports Fayman.
Read Article >
