Reds defeat Pirates 4-0
By John Fay • jfay@enquirer.com • May 1, 2009
PITTSBURGH – The Reds admittedly are going to go only as far as their starting pitching takes them this season.
For the last two games, it appears that might be pretty far.
Bronson Arroyo threw eight shutout innings in the Reds’ 4-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates Friday night at PNC Park.
His gem came one game after Edinson Volquez threw eight innings of one-hit, shutout ball in a 3-0 win over Houston Wednesday.
“That’s what you hope for,” Arroyo said. “I definitely feel like it’s the best staff since I’ve been here. If we continue to do things like this, it breeds confidence in the guys from top to bottom.”
Arroyo (4-1) allowed only four hits, walked three and struck out four. The only serious jam he faced was in the first inning, although he also had a throwing error in the seventh.
“That was definitely the best command I’ve had by far,” Arroyo said. “After I got halfway through the first inning, I knew my command on my fastball was much better than it’s been in a long time. It allowed me to pitch down in the zone, away, and get double-play balls when I needed it.”
The Reds (12-10) improved to a major-league best 8-3 on the road this season.
“It was a great way to start a road trip,” Reds manager Dusty Baker said. “We played well, except for the one error.”
Pirates left-hander Zach Duke matched Arroyo through five innings.
But Willy Taveras hit a ball to the 410-foot mark in left-center field that bounded over the low wall for a ground-rule double. Jerry Hairston bunted him over, and Joey Votto singled to center to drive in Taveras. That hit made Votto 11-for-23 with runners in scoring position.
Brandon Phillips gave the Reds a 2-0 lead by hitting the first pitch of the eighth out the opposite way to right field for his third home run of the year and second in as many starts.
The Reds added two unearned runs in the ninth inning.
http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090...10081/1071