The Cardinals spotted the Reds a five run lead after two innings, then struggled against Reds’ starter Johnny Cueto who went seven innings allowing just one run. The bats came back against the Reds’ bullpen but come up short losing 6-4.
Jerry Hairston Jr. doubled in lead off hitter Willy Tavares and later scored on a sac fly to give the Reds a 2-0 lead after the first. In the second, more trouble for Joel Pineiro (4-2) as once again the first two hitters reached on singles to give the Reds first and third with no outs. Later in the inning, a throwing error by Pineiro off a bunt by Cueto led to run and gave the Reds runners on second and third. Tavares and Hairston Jr. each would single driving in two more runs to the make the score 5-0.
After the Cardinals finally scored a run off Cueto in the 7th, the Reds pushed the lead back to five with a run off Chris Perez. In the 8th, St. Louis rallied with three runs. Tyler Greene hit a solo home run, Chris Duncan doubled in a run and scored no Yadier Molina’s single.
In the 9th, Joe Thurston reached base to start the inning off closer Francisco Cordero, but got caught stealing. Then, ahead in the count 2-1, Jason LaRue swung at two pitches over his head and Shane Robinson grounded out to end the game.
After winning his first four decisions in April, Pineiro is now 0-2 in May, but his ERA is a tad lower than what it was in April
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