Pirates connect 3 times off DeSclafani, roll 9-6 over Reds

CINCINNATI (AP) — Adam Frazier hit the first of three homers off Anthony DeSclafani, who hasn't beaten Pittsburgh in his last seven tries, and the Pirates returned from a three-day layoff with a flourish, beating the Cincinnati Reds 9-6 Thursday night.

Pittsburgh's three-game series in St. Louis was called off because of the Cardinals' COVID-19 outbreak. The Pirates showed no rust against a pitcher they've dominated.

“Was it the boost we needed? Sure,” said Trevor Williams (1-3), who went five innings. “In combination with the three days off, it was pretty nice for us.”

DeSclafani (1-1) didn't allow a run in either of his first two starts this season. Frazier connected on the right-hander's second pitch Thursday, and the Pirates surged to a 9-0 lead after two innings.

“It seemed like they were on everything,” Reds manager David Bell said. “We hated to keep him out there, but he's such a good pitcher. We don't have answers. We talked to him during the game and he didn't have answers.”

DeSclafani hasn't beaten the Pirates since June 17, 2018, at PNC Park. Since then, he's 0-5 in seven starts — all Pirates wins — giving up 29 runs in 32 1/3 innings.

The Pirates won for only the second time in their last 12 games.

“A lot of guys, including myself, have been searching a little bit,” Frazier said. “I think it was great, a mental reset."

Colin Moran also connected in the first inning for his sixth homer. Gregory Polanco led off the second with a home run, the fourth time in his career that DeSclafani has given up three in a game, his career high.

The Pirates sent 12 batters to the plate and scored seven runs in the second inning, their biggest of the season. Josh Bell singled home a pair of runs, and Moran had an RBI single during the rally,...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Pirates-connect-3-times-off-DeSclafani-roll-9-6-15482924.php