What could be the worst way to lose a ballgame? I might have to say how Friday night’s heartbreaking loss occured.

The Pirates battled the whole game and finally put up two runs in the ninth inning to tie the game at three. Fast forward to the 12th inning, Ledezma is brought in to pitch. After allowing Chris Heisey to lead-off with a single, he then hit Joey Votto with a pitch. Manager John Russell had enough and brought in Joel Hanrahan.

But was it too late? 

Hanrahan entered the game with a mess on his hands: Two men on, nobody out. Joel allowed Scotty Rolen to single, bases loaded still nobody out.

Johnny Gomes came to the plate and hit a broken bat grounder to shortstop. Ronny Cedeno threw the ball to home but Chris Synder dropped the ball. The run scored and the Reds got the walk-off win.

Talk about a heartbreaking way to lose the game.

Chris Synder’s expression after making the error at home was in disbelief as he stared at home plate and watched the Reds celebrate the victory.

“I botched it,” Snyder said. “I just clanked it. Inexcusable. Ronny did everything he needed to do. I’ve got to pick him up there, but I didn’t.” 

“We’re all kind of frustrated,” said Cedeno. “We did great in the ninth inning to come back and tie the game. It was a tough play at the end. The ball was hit really slow. It just happens.”

Paul Maholm pitched seven innings giving up three runs on six hits and struck out a career-high eight. Other than a rough third inning in which he allowed all three runs to score. (It took him 71 pitches to get through three) Maholm settled and finished off strong.

“Paul, unfortunately, gave up three runs with two outs,” said Pirates manager John Russell. “He really settled in and gave us a great start.”

Friday’s Pitching Matchup:

Paul Maholm 7-14, 5.43 ERA

VS

Homer Bailey 3-3, 5.00 ERA

Maholm gave up five runs in the fourth inning against the nationals on 9/4, making it the ninth time in his last 15 starts to allow an opponent to score at least four runs in a single inning. Maholm is 6-4 with a 3.81 ERA career against the Reds.

Bailey lost his last start against the Cardinals pitching six innigs, four runs on five hits, walked one and struck out four. In Bailey’s last three starts, 17.1 innings pitched, he is 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA. But against the Pirates he is dominant; 5-0 with a 1.57 ERA.

Pirates Lineup:

McCutchen CF

Tabata  LF

Walker  2B

Jones  1B

Alvarez  3B

Doumit  RF

Cedeno  SS

Snyder  C

Maholm  P

Reds Lineup:

Phillips 2B

Heisey RF

Votto 1B

Rolen 3B

Gomes LF

Stubbs CF

Janish SS

Hanigan C

Bailey P

News and Notes:

• Aki Iwamura and Erik Kratz both cleared waivers on Friday.The Pirates released Iwamura and Kratz was outrighted to Triple-A Indy.