Moustakas, Drury power Reds to 8-2 victory over Pirates

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike Moustakas homered twice and Brandon Drury drove in four runs to break out of a slump and lead the resurgent Cincinnati Reds to an 8-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night.

Moustakas hit a solo shot into the right field stands in the fourth inning to break a 2-2 tie. In the seventh, he had another solo homer to make it 8-2, two batters after Drury had a two-run drive.

It was the 15th multihomer game for Moustakas, who has 199 career home runs. He helped the Reds win for the sixth time in eight games following a 3-22 start.

“We’re playing good baseball. We played a real good game tonight,” Moustakas said. “The pitching has been phenomenal, and the offense has been great. It’s great to rattle off some wins in a row.”

Tyler Mahle (2-4) won for the first time since opening day, snapping a six-start winless streak. He gave up two runs on five hits in six innings while striking out eight and walking one.

Reds starters have pitched six innings in back-to-back games after not making it that far in the first 31 games of the season.

Drury’s two-run double in the fifth gave the Reds a 5-2 lead. He had gone 14 at-bats without a hit.

Mitch Keller (0-5) remained winless as he was tagged for five runs on five hits in 4 2/3 innings. He has gone 13 starts since his last win at PNC Park on May 21, 2020, against Colorado.

Of the 16 balls put in play against Keller, 11 had an exit velocity of at least 95 mph.

“Obviously, when you don’t produce it’s frustrating,” Keller said. “Just not executing good pitches and getting beat by it. They’re a good hitting team. They’re hot right now. I can’t leave stuff over the middle of the plate. When you’re missing your spot, put it in their hot zones, they’re going...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Moustakas-Drury-power-Reds-to-8-2-victory-over-17172396.php