CINCINNATI (AP) — Eugenio Suarez hit a grand slam off Ivan Nova — who dropped his sixth straight start against Cincinnati — and Jesse Winker added a solo shot Thursday as the Reds pulled away to a 5-4 victory over the slumping Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Reds took two of three in the series, completing a 3-4 homestand. Pittsburgh has dropped five of six.
Luis Castillo (4-4) gave up four hits in six innings, including a two-run homer by David Freese. Castillo has allowed two earned runs or less in each of his last five starts.
Austin Meadows hit his second homer of the series, a two-run shot off Amir Garrett in the ninth that cut it to 5-4. Jared Hughes got the last two outs for his second save. The Reds are without closer Raisel Iglesias, who went on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday with a strained biceps in his non-throwing arm.
Nova had another tough time against the Reds, extending his streak into a new season. The right-hander lost his last start against Cincinnati in 2016 and went 0-4 in four starts last year, three of them at Great American Ball Park. He had a big role in his latest undoing.
Nova hadn't walked a batter in his last two starts, but opened the third inning by walking Castillo. He also had a throwing error on Scooter Gennett's comeback grounder that helped the Reds load the bases. Suarez hit his third career grand slam.
Winker homered in the fifth inning.
Trainer's room
Joey Votto got a day of rest from the starting lineup, but pinch hit and drew a walk. He's 5 for 27 in his last nine games with seven strikeouts.
Up next
Sal Romano (2-5) tries to rebound from his worst start when the Reds open a three-game series in Denver. Romano gave up a career-high seven runs and six walks during a 10-0 loss to the Cubs on Saturday. The Rockies start Jon Gray (4-6).
