Reds' Castillo falls short in pitchers duel against Pirates, 1-0

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CINCINNATI (AP) -- Gerrit Cole ended his career-long futility against the Cincinnati Reds by hitting a solo homer, pitching seven innings and leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 1-0 victory Saturday night.

Cole (11-8) was 0-6 against Cincinnati in nine starts, including a loss earlier this season. He broke through by holding down a lineup that had scored nine runs the previous night. Cole gave up five hits, didn't walk a batter and fanned six.

He also connected for his first homer of the season and the third of his career off Luis Castillo (2-7) in the sixth, getting around on a 95 mph inside fastball. It was Cole's first homer since May 26, 2016, against Arizona at PNC Park.

Cole is 8-0 in his last nine road starts. The last Pirates pitcher to win eight straight road decisions was Don Robinson in 1982.

Juan Nicasio and Felipe Rivero completed the five-hitter, with the left-hander getting his 15th save in 16 chances.

The Pirates won for only the third time in 13 games against their Ohio River rivals this season, and did it with minimal offense. Pittsburgh hit just four balls out of the infield -- including Cole's homer -- in seven innings against Castillo, who matched his career high by fanning nine.

Pittsburgh has lost 10 of its last 14 games, fading out of the NL Central race. The last-place Reds are 16-26 since the All-Star break.












TRAINER'S ROOM


Pirates: C Francisco Cervelli went back on the 10-day DL with a sore left thigh. He came off the disabled list Friday after recovering from a sore wrist, and hurt his thigh while running the bases. C Elias Dias was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis. ... OF Gregory Polanco, on the DL for the second time because of a strained left hamstring, did some agility drills and took batting practice but isn't close to returning. ... Wade LeBlanc, on the DL with a strained left thigh, threw 45 pitches in a simulated game. He's eligible to be activated on Monday.

Reds: RHP Homer Bailey expects to start Wednesday against the Mets. He left his outing last Tuesday against the Cubs after only three innings because of discomfort in the back of his pitching shoulder. The Reds are giving him a couple extra days to recover.



UP NEXT


Pirates: RHP Jameson Taillon is 1-2 in his career against the Reds with a 7.01 ERA. He's made three starts against the Reds this season, going 0-2 while allowing 16 runs in 14 2/3 innings.

Reds: RHP Tyler Mahle makes his major league debut. Chad Wallach, who caught him at Triple-A Louisville this season, will be behind the plate. Wallach's father, former major leaguer Tim Wallach, is planning to attend. Wallach is a Marlins coach.