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Former Pirate McGehee helps Marlins top Bucs

MIAMI (AP) - The Pittsburgh Pirates' struggling relief pitching of late finally cost them a victory.The bullpen endured another meltdown Sunday, blowing a two-run lead in the eighth inning, and Casey McGehee hit a sacrifice fly in the 10th to help the Miami Marlins avert a series sweep by winning 3-2.Pittsburgh relievers gave up 11 earned runs in 9 2-3 innings in the series, an ERA of 10.24."I don't think it's any one particular thing that has tripped up any of our guys," manager Clint Hurdle said. "You have to look at each game. It's like a golf course. Each hole plays different."On ...

Frazier’s homer lifts Reds over Pirates in ninth

PITTSBURGH - Todd Frazier led off the ninth inning with a tiebreaking homer, lifting Cincinnati to a 6-5 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night after the Reds' bullpen blew a three-run lead.Frazier's team-leading 16th home run to center field came off closer Jason Grilli (0-2) and gave the Reds their fifth win in six games. Cincinnati (34-35) also got within one game of .500 on its ninth try.Billy Hamilton had three hits and two stolen bases for the Reds, while Joey Votto had two hits and three RBIs. Frazier, Brandon Phillips and Ryan Ludwick added two hits apiece.Hamilton ...

Reds whip Bucs

PITTSBURGH - Bryan Price put his faith in Alfredo Simon at the start of the season. The Cincinnati Reds manager has been rewarded - and then some.Simon became the NL's first 10-game winner and Billy Hamilton had three hits and three RBIs in the Reds' 11-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.Simon (10-3) allowed three runs on five hits and three walks in 6 1-3 innings to break a tie with the Dodgers' Zack Greinke and Cardinals' Adam Wainwright for the NL lead in victories.Simon went to spring training as a relief pitcher and moved into the starting rotation when Mat Latos ...

Pirates salvage Game 3

PITTSBURGH - Pirates catcher Russell Martin didn't start Thursday's game. Rather, he ended it.Martin drew a bases-loaded walk off Tony Cingrani with two outs in the 12th inning and Pittsburgh beat the Cincinnati Reds 4-3 to avoid a three-game sweep.Cingrani's first pitch buzzed in low around the ankles of Martin, who drew boos from those left in attendance for not letting the ball hit him to score the winning run."I did wonder maybe if I would've got hit the game would be over," Martin said. "But when it's at your feet you just react, and I just reacted."Later, Cingrani's 3-1 pitch ...

Castro powers Cubs past Bucs

CHICAGO - The pitch was just a tick up, and Starlin Castro was ready. When Edwin Jackson was limited to five innings, the bullpen took over. Pedro Alvarez's drive fell short on the warning track.These are fun days for the improving Chicago Cubs.Castro hit a three-run homer and Jackson finally got the better of Charlie Morton, leading the Cubs to a 6-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday."This is the nicest I've felt about this team since I've been here," said Anthony Rizzo, who was acquired in a January 2012 trade with San Diego.Chris Coghlan added a solo shot as the Cubs ...

Pirates take Grilli out of closer role

CHICAGO - Jason Grilli is off to a rough start for the Pittsburgh Pirates, and manager Clint Hurdle thinks he knows the best way to get the key reliever back on track.Hurdle announced Friday that Mark Melancon would close games for the Pirates in place of Grilli, who has blown four save opportunities this year after converting 33 of 35 chances last season."There's no safety net for a closer. There never is," Hurdle said before Pittsburgh's 6-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs. "So he won't have to deal with that for a while, which I think will help."Grilli pitched a scoreless eighth inning in ...