Phillips enjoys Sabermetrician's dream with historic night at plate
Brandon Phillips didn't realize he had done something very rare.
Phillips hit a pair of three-run homers and drove in a career-high seven runs on Thursday night, powering the Reds to a 15-5 victory that kept the Pittsburgh Pirates winless in Cincinnati this season.
The Reds opened the season with a three-game sweep of the Pirates at Great American Ball Park. They improved to 4-0 on Thursday night by taking advantage of struggling A.J. Burnett (8-5), sending the Pirates to their most lopsided loss of the season.
Pittsburgh hadn't allowed so many runs since a 15-5 loss to Arizona on Aug. 17, 2013.
Phillips became the first major league player since 1920 -- when the RBI became an official statistic -- to have four hits, two homers, seven RBIs and two steals in the same game.
"Glad you all told me that," Phillips said. "I'm really feeling myself right now. As a team, we're playing good baseball. We're just trying to finish up strong."
Marlon Byrd also hit a three-run homer, and Jay Bruce drove in three runs with a sacrifice fly and a double as the Reds improved to 8-2 overall against the Pirates this season. They've won three games in a row for the first time since June 16-19.
The Reds piled up a season-high 19 hits.
"What can I say?" manager Bryan Price said. "Brandon hits two home runs and drives in seven runs. We had lots of guys on base tonight."
Left-hander David Holmberg (1-0) was called up from Triple-A and allowed two runs and five hits in six innings during his first start for the Reds this season.
"It was nice to get that big lead," he said. "You want to get out there, throw strikes, get back in and score more runs."
The Pirates made two deals in less than 24 hours to upgrade what was already one of the NL's top bullpens, acquiring Joe Blanton from Kansas City for versatility and Joakim Soria from Detroit as another setup reliever. They're expecting Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison back from injuries for the playoff push.
Pittsburgh's rotation has been a concern, and Burnett made it worse. He has given up six, five and eight runs in his three starts since the All-Star break.
The Reds piled up 10 hits, two walks and eight runs -- seven earned -- in 4 1-3 innings off Burnett. They also stole four bases off of him.
"That's what I had, man," Burnett said. "I'm 38. That's what I had. It's sad."
Burnett gave up a pair of singles and Byrd's homer in the first inning. The Reds sent 10 batters to the plate for six runs in the fifth, with Phillips connecting off reliever Deolis Guerra for a 9-1 lead. First baseman Pedro Alvarez made a throwing error while trying to start a double play, extending the inning.
Phillips connected again off Guerra in the sixth for a 14-2 lead.
HAMILTON KEEPS RUNNING
Billy Hamilton stole two bases, leaving him with a major league-leading 49 in 56 attempts.
DECKER ON THE MOUND
OF Jaff Decker pinch-hit and stayed in the game to pitch the bottom of the eighth. He gave up a double and a single, but no runs.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Pirates: RF Gregory Polanco was in the starting lineup a day after he left a game early because of a sore left knee. He went 2 for 4.
Reds: Reliever Nate Adcock went on the 15-day DL with a sore pitching elbow.
UP NEXT
Pirates: LH Jeff Locke has been charged with two earned runs or less in seven of his nine career starts against the Reds. He's 2-2 with a 3.26 ERA against them.
Reds: Rookie Michael Lorenzen won his only start against Pittsburgh, allowing one run and three hits in six innings of a 7-1 victory at PNC Park on May 5.
