CINCINNATI -- Trevor Cahill was hit hard in his Pirates debut Tuesday night, setting the pace for a 14-1 loss to the Reds in Great American Ball Park.
Tyler Naquin was the main thorn in Cahill’s side, opening the first with a homer before launching a three-run shot in the second. Naquin finished with a career-high seven RBIs on the night.
The rest of the Reds’ runs came from second baseman Jonathan India, who went 3-for-3 with four RBIs, and catcher Tucker Barnhart, who drove in the other three runs in a three-hit night.
Everyone in the Reds’ starting lineup reached base safely, and they had 17 hits as a team. By contrast, the Pirates had just five hits as a team, with no multi-hit performances.
Cahill lasted just four innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits, two of which were homers. He struck out four.
Things didn’t go much better once the Pirates handed the ball to the bullpen. Clay Holmes was charged for five earned runs while recording just one out in the fifth. Duane Underwood Jr. allowed two more to score over 2 ⅓.
The only Pirates pitcher to throw a clean, complete inning was utilityman Phillip Evans, who retired the Reds in order in the eighth. He also provided all of the Pirates’ offense, homering in the seventh. It was his second straight game with a home run.
Reds’ starter Wade Miley allowed just three base runners on two hits and a walk over his six innings. He gets the win, and Cahill the loss, in their first decisions of the season.
The Pirates are Reds will conclude their three game set Wednesday. First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. The Pirates will be looking to avoid the sweep and snap their four-game losing streak.
