CINCINNATI -- Todd Frazier embraced the move up to the No. 3 spot in the Reds' batting order, a sign they think he can drive in a lot of runs.
With one swing, he drove in three big ones in the season opener.
Frazier hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning, overcoming another stumble by the bullpen and rallying the Reds to a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday.
Billy Hamilton and Joey Votto singled before Frazier connected on a down-the-middle fastball from Tony Watson (0-1), snapping a 2-2 tie.
"I was just looking for a sacrifice fly, but he threw the ball up," Frazier said. "He got one out there a little bit. That was one of those no-doubters that come off the bat perfectly.
"That was huge. We talk about finishing games. I was the guy today. It will probably be somebody else next time."
Until the eighth inning, Johnny Cueto was the guy.
Cueto, the Reds' 20-game winner in the final year of his contract, opened his uncertain season with another dominating performance against the Pirates. He fanned 10 batters in seven innings before turning a 2-0 lead over to a bullpen that was a big problem last season.
"Everything was low," Cueto said, with a trainer translating. "Everything went the way I wanted it to."
Andrew McCutchen tied it with a two-run shot off newcomer Kevin Gregg. McCutchen has hit safely in his last 11 games at Great American Ball Park with five homers.
"He has a comfort zone here," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "He's hit some big homers late."
Jumbo Diaz (1-0) got the final out in the eighth for his first win. Aroldis Chapman fanned two of the three batters he faced for the save.
Jay Bruce hit a solo homer, and Francisco Liriano balked home a run. Liriano allowed two hits in seven innings.
The Ohio River rivals have ended the last two seasons in Cincinnati with a lot at stake. The Pirates finished the 2013 regular season by sweeping a series and clinching home-field advantage for the wild-card game. Last year, Cueto beat the Pirates 4-1 for his 20th win, relegating Pittsburgh to another wild-card game.
It was the first time they opened a season together since 2003 in the inaugural game at Great American Ball Park. With the late homers, it had the feel of those September games.
Hamilton reached on a fielder's choice in the third inning and took third base on Votto's single, his first hit since July 4. Plate umpire John Hirschbeck called a balk on Liriano, making it 1-0.
Votto, the NL MVP in 2010, didn't play after July 5 because of strained muscles above his left knee.
Bruce, who was limited after surgery for torn knee cartilage last season, homered in the fourth.
It was 68 degrees at the first pitch, but rain began falling only 18 minutes into the game. There was a 35-minute delay in the top of the sixth inning.
OPENERS
The former Nasty Boys bullpen of Norm Charlton, Rob Dibble and Randy Myers threw ceremonial first pitches. ... The crowd of 43,633 was the largest for a regular-season game in Great American's history. ... Pittsburgh is 69-60 in season openers, including 19-10 against the Reds. Cincinnati is 67-71-1.
CUETO'S STUFF
Cueto's 10 strikeouts ran his career total to 1,005. The 10 Ks were his most in four opening day starts and two shy of his career high. He tied Mario Soto for second-most strikeouts on opening day by a Reds pitcher. Gary Nolan fanned 12 in 1969.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Pirates: The Pirates opened the season with five players on the disabled list, including starter Charlie Morton, who is recovering from hip surgery.
Reds: Manager Bryan Price said right-hander Homer Bailey will make at least two rehab appearances before being activated from the DL. Bailey is recovering from forearm surgery last September.
UP NEXT
The teams have a day off. Gerrit Cole starts for Pittsburgh on Wednesday. He tied a career high by fanning 12 Reds at Great American in the final regular-season game last season. Cincinnati starts Mike Leake, who is 4-0 in his last eight starts against Pittsburgh with a 2.75 ERA. He hasn't lost to Pittsburgh since May 5, 2012.
With one swing, he drove in three big ones in the season opener.
Frazier hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning, overcoming another stumble by the bullpen and rallying the Reds to a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday.
Billy Hamilton and Joey Votto singled before Frazier connected on a down-the-middle fastball from Tony Watson (0-1), snapping a 2-2 tie.
"I was just looking for a sacrifice fly, but he threw the ball up," Frazier said. "He got one out there a little bit. That was one of those no-doubters that come off the bat perfectly.
"That was huge. We talk about finishing games. I was the guy today. It will probably be somebody else next time."
Until the eighth inning, Johnny Cueto was the guy.
Cueto, the Reds' 20-game winner in the final year of his contract, opened his uncertain season with another dominating performance against the Pirates. He fanned 10 batters in seven innings before turning a 2-0 lead over to a bullpen that was a big problem last season.
"Everything was low," Cueto said, with a trainer translating. "Everything went the way I wanted it to."
Andrew McCutchen tied it with a two-run shot off newcomer Kevin Gregg. McCutchen has hit safely in his last 11 games at Great American Ball Park with five homers.
"He has a comfort zone here," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "He's hit some big homers late."
Jumbo Diaz (1-0) got the final out in the eighth for his first win. Aroldis Chapman fanned two of the three batters he faced for the save.
Jay Bruce hit a solo homer, and Francisco Liriano balked home a run. Liriano allowed two hits in seven innings.
The Ohio River rivals have ended the last two seasons in Cincinnati with a lot at stake. The Pirates finished the 2013 regular season by sweeping a series and clinching home-field advantage for the wild-card game. Last year, Cueto beat the Pirates 4-1 for his 20th win, relegating Pittsburgh to another wild-card game.
It was the first time they opened a season together since 2003 in the inaugural game at Great American Ball Park. With the late homers, it had the feel of those September games.
Hamilton reached on a fielder's choice in the third inning and took third base on Votto's single, his first hit since July 4. Plate umpire John Hirschbeck called a balk on Liriano, making it 1-0.
Votto, the NL MVP in 2010, didn't play after July 5 because of strained muscles above his left knee.
Bruce, who was limited after surgery for torn knee cartilage last season, homered in the fourth.
It was 68 degrees at the first pitch, but rain began falling only 18 minutes into the game. There was a 35-minute delay in the top of the sixth inning.
OPENERS
The former Nasty Boys bullpen of Norm Charlton, Rob Dibble and Randy Myers threw ceremonial first pitches. ... The crowd of 43,633 was the largest for a regular-season game in Great American's history. ... Pittsburgh is 69-60 in season openers, including 19-10 against the Reds. Cincinnati is 67-71-1.
CUETO'S STUFF
Cueto's 10 strikeouts ran his career total to 1,005. The 10 Ks were his most in four opening day starts and two shy of his career high. He tied Mario Soto for second-most strikeouts on opening day by a Reds pitcher. Gary Nolan fanned 12 in 1969.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Pirates: The Pirates opened the season with five players on the disabled list, including starter Charlie Morton, who is recovering from hip surgery.
Reds: Manager Bryan Price said right-hander Homer Bailey will make at least two rehab appearances before being activated from the DL. Bailey is recovering from forearm surgery last September.
UP NEXT
The teams have a day off. Gerrit Cole starts for Pittsburgh on Wednesday. He tied a career high by fanning 12 Reds at Great American in the final regular-season game last season. Cincinnati starts Mike Leake, who is 4-0 in his last eight starts against Pittsburgh with a 2.75 ERA. He hasn't lost to Pittsburgh since May 5, 2012.
4:10PM,EDT,April 6,2015
Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio
| View: Play-By-Play | Pitch-By-Pitch | Inning: All | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| Pittsburgh - Top of 1st | SCORE | |
|---|---|---|
| Johnny Cueto pitching for Cincinnati | PIT | CIN |
| Harrison lined out to shortstop. | 0 | 0 |
| Polanco singled to center. | 0 | 0 |
| McCutchen grounded out to third, Polanco to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Walker struck out looking. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cincinnati - Bottom of 1st | SCORE | |
| Francisco Liriano pitching for Pittsburgh | PIT | CIN |
| Hamilton bunt grounded out to catcher. | 0 | 0 |
| Votto grounded out to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Frazier grounded out to pitcher. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Top of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Johnny Cueto pitching for Cincinnati | PIT | CIN |
| Marte struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Álvarez grounded out to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Cervelli grounded out to shortstop. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cincinnati - Bottom of 2nd | SCORE | |
| Francisco Liriano pitching for Pittsburgh | PIT | CIN |
| Mesoraco walked. | 0 | 0 |
| Byrd struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Bruce walked, Mesoraco to second. | 0 | 0 |
| Phillips flied out to left. | 0 | 0 |
| Cozart struck out looking. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Top of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Johnny Cueto pitching for Cincinnati | PIT | CIN |
| Mercer struck out swinging. | 0 | 0 |
| Liriano struck out looking. | 0 | 0 |
| Harrison doubled to left. | 0 | 0 |
| Polanco struck out looking. | 0 | 0 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cincinnati - Bottom of 3rd | SCORE | |
| Francisco Liriano pitching for Pittsburgh | PIT | CIN |
| Cueto walked. | 0 | 0 |
| Hamilton grounded into fielder's choice to third, Cueto out at second. | 0 | 0 |
| Votto singled to center, Hamilton to third. | 0 | 0 |
| Hamilton scored, Votto to second on balk by Liriano. | 0 | 1 |
| Frazier struck out looking. | 0 | 1 |
| Mesoraco popped out to shortstop. | 0 | 1 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Top of 4th | SCORE | |
| Johnny Cueto pitching for Cincinnati | PIT | CIN |
| McCutchen flied out to left. | 0 | 1 |
| Walker struck out looking. | 0 | 1 |
| Marte lined out to center. | 0 | 1 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cincinnati - Bottom of 4th | SCORE | |
| Francisco Liriano pitching for Pittsburgh | PIT | CIN |
| Byrd struck out swinging. | 0 | 1 |
| Bruce homered to right center (409 feet). | 0 | 2 |
| Phillips lined out to right. | 0 | 2 |
| Cozart flied out to right. | 0 | 2 |
| 1 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Top of 5th | SCORE | |
| Johnny Cueto pitching for Cincinnati | PIT | CIN |
| Álvarez grounded out to pitcher. | 0 | 2 |
| Cervelli walked. | 0 | 2 |
| Mercer lined out to center. | 0 | 2 |
| Liriano grounded out to second. | 0 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cincinnati - Bottom of 5th | SCORE | |
| Francisco Liriano pitching for Pittsburgh | PIT | CIN |
| Cueto struck out swinging. | 0 | 2 |
| Hamilton lined out to right. | 0 | 2 |
| Votto grounded out to first. | 0 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Top of 6th | SCORE | |
| Johnny Cueto pitching for Cincinnati | PIT | CIN |
| Harrison struck out swinging. | 0 | 2 |
| Polanco struck out swinging. | 0 | 2 |
| McCutchen singled to center. | 0 | 2 |
| Walker popped out to shortstop. | 0 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cincinnati - Bottom of 6th | SCORE | |
| Francisco Liriano pitching for Pittsburgh | PIT | CIN |
| Frazier grounded out to second. | 0 | 2 |
| Mesoraco struck out swinging. | 0 | 2 |
| Byrd struck out swinging. | 0 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Top of 7th | SCORE | |
| Johnny Cueto pitching for Cincinnati | PIT | CIN |
| Marte struck out swinging. | 0 | 2 |
| Álvarez struck out swinging. | 0 | 2 |
| Cervelli singled to center. | 0 | 2 |
| Mercer grounded out to pitcher. | 0 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 1 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cincinnati - Bottom of 7th | SCORE | |
| Francisco Liriano pitching for Pittsburgh | PIT | CIN |
| Bruce grounded out to second. | 0 | 2 |
| Phillips fouled out to first. | 0 | 2 |
| Cozart grounded out to second. | 0 | 2 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Top of 8th | SCORE | |
| Kevin Gregg pitching for Cincinnati | PIT | CIN |
| Gregg relieved Cueto. | 0 | 2 |
| Lambo hit for Liriano. | 0 | 2 |
| Lambo flied out to center. | 0 | 2 |
| Harrison singled to left center. | 0 | 2 |
| Polanco lined out to left. | 0 | 2 |
| McCutchen homered to center (398 feet), Harrison scored. | 2 | 2 |
| Parra relieved Gregg. | 2 | 2 |
| Walker singled to center. | 2 | 2 |
| Díaz relieved Parra. | 2 | 2 |
| Marte struck out swinging. | 2 | 2 |
| 2 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Cincinnati - Bottom of 8th | SCORE | |
| Tony Watson pitching for Pittsburgh | PIT | CIN |
| Rodriguez at first base. | 2 | 2 |
| Watson relieved Liriano. | 2 | 2 |
| Dominguez hit for Díaz. | 2 | 2 |
| Dominguez struck out swinging. | 2 | 2 |
| Hamilton singled to center. | 2 | 2 |
| Votto singled to left, Hamilton to second. | 2 | 2 |
| Hamilton stole third. | 2 | 2 |
| Frazier homered to left (396 feet), Hamilton and Votto scored. | 2 | 5 |
| Mesoraco grounded out to shortstop. | 2 | 5 |
| Byrd grounded out to shortstop. | 2 | 5 |
| 3 Runs, 3 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh - Top of 9th | SCORE | |
| Aroldis Chapman pitching for Cincinnati | PIT | CIN |
| Chapman relieved Díaz. | 2 | 5 |
| Rodriguez struck out swinging. | 2 | 5 |
| Cervelli struck out looking. | 2 | 5 |
| Mercer fouled out to right. | 2 | 5 |
| 0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors | ||
| Pittsburgh Pirates | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitters | AB | R | H | RBI | BB | SO | #P | AVG | OBP | SLG |
| Harrison 3B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | .500 | .500 | .750 |
| Polanco RF | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 15 | .250 | .250 | .250 |
| McCutchen CF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 8 | .500 | .500 | 1.250 |
| Walker 2B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13 | .250 | .250 | .250 |
| Marte LF | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 20 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Álvarez 1B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
Rodriguez 1B
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Cervelli C | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 22 | .333 | .500 | .333 |
| Mercer SS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Liriano P | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
a-Lambo PH
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
Watson P
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| Totals | 34 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 13 | 132 | |||
| a-flied out to center for F Liriano in the 8th | ||||||||||
| BATTING 2B: Harrison (1, Cueto) HR: McCutchen (1, 8th inning off Gregg 1 on, 2 Out) RBI: McCutchen 2 (2) 2-out RBI: McCutchen 2 Pirates RISP: 0-2 (Walker 0-1, Polanco 0-1) Team LOB: 6 | ||||||||||
Game Notes
| The game was delayed 35 minutes due to rain in the top of the 6th inning. |
Game Information
| Stadium | Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, OH |
| Attendance | 43,633 (103.1% full) - % is based on regular season capacity |
| Game Time | 2:30 |
| Weather | 68 degrees, overcast |
| Wind | 15 mph |
| Umpires | Home Plate - John Hirschbeck, First Base - Sam Holbrook, Second Base - Bill Welke, Third Base - James Hoye |
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