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Sunday, Sep. 10 1:35pm ET
Ochoa's career day lifts Reds | |||||
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GAME UPDATE
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Pirates starter Jimmy Anderson gave up home runs to Alex Ochoa and Ken Griffey Jr. but his biggest problem came against an .097 hitter. Ochoa drove in a career-high five runs and pitcher Elmer Dessens walked and scored twice as the Cincinnati Reds beat the Pirates 6-4 Sunday. Ochoa hit a three-run homer in the fifth and a tiebreaking two-run double in the seventh, scoring Dessens both times. Entering the game, Dessens had collected three singles in 31 at-bats. "You should never walk the pitcher," Anderson said. "There's no cause to ever walk the pitcher." The walks had a twofold effect on Anderson and both parts were bad. He kept rallies going for the Reds and the frustration over the walks affected his concentration. "You could tell by his body language that it was bothering him," Pirates manager Gene Lamont said. Reds manager Jack McKeon was happy to find himself on the other side of the situation. "Things like that have haunted us all year," McKeon said. "Every time you walk a guy in a situation like that, it seems like he scores. Make him earn his way on. Don't give it to him." The Reds won for the second consecutive day and split the four-game series. The Pirates had stretched their winning streak to a season-high eight games by sweeping a doubleheader Friday night. Anderson (5-9) lost for the fourth time in five starts. Dessens (8-5) won his second consecutive start after losing five of six decisions in August. He was lifted after walking Brian Giles to start the eighth. Dessens allowed four runs -- three earned -- and six hits in seven-plus innings. Dessens was a marginal pitcher for the Pirates, who wound up releasing him after 1998. After an unsuccessful season in Japan, Dessens appears to have found a home with the Reds. Through translator Dennys Reyes, Dessens said he hopes he's making a claim for a job in 2001. "I hope I well get the opportunity to start again next spring," he said. Ochoa is also getting a chance to play since the Reds traded Dante Bichette to Boston. He and Michael Tucker share time. "It's a good opportunity," Ochoa said. "I'm trying to go out and do my job and have good at-bats every time." Danny Graves pitched the ninth for his 27th save in 32 opportunities. Anderson walked Dessens and Pokey Reese in the seventh and Ochoa broke a 4-4 tie with a two-run double against reliever Scott Sauerbeck. The Reds scored their first four runs on homers. Griffey hit his 39th with the bases empty in the third and Ochoa hit a three-run homer in the fifth. Ochoa's seventh of the season came after Anderson walked Dessens and gave up a single to Reese. The Pirates scored a run in the first on consecutive singles by Giles, John Vander Wal and Enrique Wilson. They added two runs in the third on Giles' RBI groundout and Vander Wal's sacrifice fly. Giles hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth. Game notesDessens entered the game as a career .114 hitter (5-for-44). ... The Reds, who beat the Pirates in the first game at Three Rivers Stadium on July 16, 1970, finished with a record of 101-82 there. They have the best record of any visiting team at Three Rivers. ... Vander Wal extended his career-best hitting streak to 11 games. ... Anderson was coming off a complete game victory at Los Angeles on Monday that saw him allow just one run. Before that, he was 0-3 with a 5.76 ERA in five starts. | ALSO SEE Baseball Scoreboard Cincinnati Clubhouse Pittsburgh Clubhouse RECAPS NY Yankees 6 Boston 2
Cincinnati 6
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