Jeimer Candelario on Friday hit a two-run homer to help Brady Singer and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-3, with Taiwan’s Cheng Tsung-che taking over at second base after the Pirates faced more injury concerns.
Singer (3-0) pitched five innings of three-run ball in his third straight win. The right-hander allowed two hits, struck out three and walked three.
Taylor Rogers, Graham Ashcraft and Emilio Pagan followed Singer with four innings of two-hit ball. Pagan handled the ninth for his third save.
Photo: AP
Both teams had only four hits and combined for 10 walks.
Adam Frazier hit a two-run homer for Pittsburgh, while Tommy Pham had an RBI double. Bailey Falter (0-2) was charged with five runs — three earned — and three hits in five innings.
Candelario’s first homer made it 3-0 in the first. A two-run throwing error by catcher Endy Rodriguez extended the lead to 5-0 in the third. Rodriguez blocked a wild pitch, but overthrew third trying to get Elly De La Cruz, who scored along with Spencer Steer.
Photo: AFP
Cheng and Rodriguez entered the game after Joey Bart departed because of lower-back discomfort.
Pittsburgh outfielder Oneil Cruz missed his second consecutive start with a finger injury on his left hand.
Pingtung County-born Cheng played was playing his second game for the Pirates after starting at short stop on Wednesday.
He took over at second base in the bottom of the second inning upon Bart’s departure on Friday. The Pirates had not disclosed the nature or severity of Bart’s injury.
Cheng went hitless in two at-bats at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. He hit a ground-out to second base in the fourth inning and in the sixth he struck out swinging.
In the top of the eighth, he was replaced by pinch-hitter Andrew McCutchen.
Elsewhere on Friday, it was:
‧ Astros 14, Angels 3
‧ Athletics 6, Mets 7
‧ Diamondbacks 0, Brewers 7
‧ Dodgers 3, Cubs 0
‧ Cardinals 2, Phillies 0
‧ Guardians 7, Royals 0
‧ Mariners 5, Rangers 3
‧ Marlins 4, Nationals 7
‧ Padres 8, Rockies 0
‧ Rays 6, Braves 3
‧ Twins 6, Tigers 7
‧ White Sox 11, Red Sox 1
‧ Yankees 1, Giants 9
Additional reporting by staff writer
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