Reynolds leads Pirates past Reds 8-5 in doubleheader opener

CINCINNATI (AP) — Bryan Reynolds hit a tiebreaking two-run triple in Pittsburgh’s four-run eighth inning, and the Pirates beat the Cincinnati Reds 8-5 on Monday in the opener of a day-night doubleheader.

Reynolds’ one-out liner off David Hernandez (1-3) got into the gap in left-center and drove in Cole Tucker and Adam Frazier. Starling Marte followed with a shot to center for his sixth homer, lifting Pittsburgh to an 8-4 lead.

Josh Bell also went deep for the Pirates, who snapped a three-game losing streak. Kyle Crick (2-1) got four outs for the win.

Felipe Vázquez replaced Crick with the bases loaded in the eighth and struck out Nick Senzel, ending the inning. Vazquez then worked the ninth for his 14th save, yielding a sacrifice fly to Curt Casali before coaxing Yasiel Puig into a game-ending groundout.

Joey Votto had three hits for Cincinnati in his fourth consecutive multihit game. Eugenio Suárez finished with three hits and two RBIs.

Coming off a successful weekend series in Chicago, the Reds grabbed a 3-1 lead in the fifth on consecutive two-out RBI doubles by Senzel, Votto and Suárez, whose drive to center was inches away from being a home run.

But Gregory Polanco hit a tying RBI single in Pittsburgh’s two-run sixth, and Bell made it 4-3 when he connected for his 17th homer in the seventh. It was Bell’s 11th homer in May, tops in the majors.

Cincinnati right-hander Luis Castillo allowed three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out four and walked four.

Votto’s error on Elias Diaz’s potential double-play ball turned into an unearned run in the sixth.

Nick Kingham pitched 4 2/3 innings for Pittsburgh in his third start of the year. He permitted three runs and seven hits.

The doubleheader was created when the Pirates-Reds game on March 30 was rained out.

HIT AWAY

Pirates right fielder Melky Cabrera was hit in the right elbow by a Castillo pitch with one out in the fourth inning. Cabrera angrily flung his bat in the direction of the Pittsburgh dugout, but he stayed in the game.

Hernandez plunked Frazier on the right foot with a pitch in the eighth. Frazier stayed in the game.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Reds: LHP Alex Wood has rejoined the team after spending the season at extended spring training in Arizona working out tightness in his lower back. He has started a throwing program that eventually will lead to bullpen sessions, followed by a rehab assignment.