DJ: Why employ a pinch runner? (stander!)

CINCINNATI - Pittsburgh eked out a 5-4 win over the Reds Thursday night, as the Pirates pulled within two games of division leading Cincinnati.

Mike Leake had one bad inning when he gave up 2 runs while the Reds offense sputtered and stuttered and for once their defense proved a liability.

Brandon Phillips brain lock, turning his back to the infield after recording an out at first, allowing a Pirates runner to claim third base unchallenged proved problematic.

Aroldis Chapman cannot leap tall buildings in a single bound as he gave up back to back doubles in the 10th inning, yielding his first earned run all season.

And Dusty Baker cannot manufacture a run. A win was nigh in the 9th after Ryan Ludwick’s second home run of the game tied it at 4-4.

Pinch hitter Ryan Hanigan drew a one out walk, whereupon Dusty called for Chris Negron, a youngster just up from AAA to pinch run.

First base is where he remained. Not even the slightest suggestion of aggression to move him to second base and hopefully beyond. Why put the speedy kid as a pinch runner if you’re not going to turn him loose or at least bunt him over? This team is totally enamored with the home run ball. It will work to their ultimate detriment.

The home run is to baseball what Pete Gillen said of the three point field goal in basketball: “Fools’ Gold”.