Suárez hits 3 home runs, leads Reds past Pirates 6-2

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Eugenio Suárez hit three homers in a game for the first time in his career, driving in five runs and leading the Cincinnati Reds over the Pittsburgh Pirates 6-2 Saturday night.

Suárez hit a three-run shot deep down the left-field line to cap a four-run third inning. He added solo homers in the sixth and eighth innings, giving him 12 this season — he hit 49 last year.

“I’m so happy. That was a big night for me,” Suarez said. “I try to concentrate every time I go to the plate for an at-bat, try to hit the ball hard. They made some mistakes and I hit the ball hard.”

This marked the third baseman’s ninth career multihomer game and gave him six home runs and 16 RBIs in his last 12 games.

“We’ve seen what (Suarez) is capable of when he gets going and he gets hold of some balls,” Reds manager David Bell said. “We’ve seen him get locked in like that before and it’s fun to watch. It’d be great if he kept it going.”

Tucker Barnhart led off the Reds' third by lining a home run to the shrubbery beyond the center-field fence. Pirates center fielder Anthony Alford broke his right elbow when he slammed into the wall chasing the ball. Claimed off waivers from the Toronto Blue Jays last month, Alford will most likely miss the last three weeks of the season.

“Honestly, it makes me feel a little sick to my stomach just because of the opportunity he has right now, but even more so knowing the person and the kid,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said. “Just to see the pain and anguish in his eyes, it’s difficult.”

Amir Garrett (1-0), the third of five Reds’ pitchers, worked 1 1/3 scoreless innings for the win.

Garrett relieved Michael Lorenzen in the sixth inning with two outs, the bases loaded and the Reds holding a 5-2 lead....

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Su-rez-hits-3-home-runs-leads-Reds-past-Pirates-15546063.php