Reds at Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates found the perfect way to break out of a slump, victimizing a division rival that they have dominated at home. The Pirates can complete their first series sweep in more than two months when they attempt to beat the Cincinnati Reds for the 10th consecutive time at home on Sunday afternoon in the finale of a three-game set.
Colin Moran ignited Saturday's 14-0 drubbing with a pinch-hit grand slam for Pittsburgh, which entered the series with an 8-30 mark since the All-Star break and having been held to one run or fewer in five of the previous six contests. Josh Bell added a three-run blast to reach a pair of milestones, surpassing 100 RBIs for the first time and tying Bobby Bonilla for the franchise record for most homers (32) by a switch-hitter. It marked Pittsburgh's largest shutout win over Cincinnati, which has dropped five straight away from home entering the third contest of an 11-game road trip. Reds rookie Aristides Aquino, who has clubbed 12 homers this month, has hit safely in four straight games.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Cincinnati), AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh
PITCHING MATCHUP: Reds RH Trevor Bauer (10-10, 4.06 ERA) vs. Pirates RH Dario Agrazal (2-3, 4.09)
Although he registered 11 strikeouts for the second time in three outings, Bauer lost his second consecutive start last time out when he allowed three runs (two earned) and five hits over seven innings against San Diego. He was hammered for nine runs over 4 1/3 innings at Washington in his previous turn, marking the third straight road start that he failed to get through five innings. Bauer has won both career starts against the Pirates while posting a 1.35 ERA.
Agrazal made his first relief appearance of the year for Pittsburgh after he was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis, tossing two hitless innings against Washington on Wednesday. The 24-year-old rookie from Panama lost his last three starts before he was sent to the minors, including an outing at Cincinnati on July 31 in which he lasted 3 2/3 innings and gave up three runs on six hits while striking out five. Agrazal surrendered seven home runs during the three-start skid.
WALK-OFFS
1. Moran has three pinch-hit homers this season, contributing to Pittsburgh's majors-best 44 pinch-hit RBIs.
2. Reds 1B Joey Votto is eligible to come off the injured list Sunday but will remain out, manager David Bell told reporters.
3. Pirates LF Bryan Reynolds has 28 doubles, the most by a Pittsburgh rookie since Neil Walker (29) in 2010.