Cincinnati, OH – Brandon Phillips blasted a solo homer and hit a run-scoring double, as the Cincinnati Reds took another step closer to a division crown with a 5-3 win over the reeling Pittsburgh Pirates in the middle test of a three-game series at Great American Ball Park.
Mike Leake (8-9) gave up nine hits and three runs, including two home runs, in seven innings for the NL Central-leading Reds. The right-hander helped his own cause with two singles and scored during a three-run second inning.
Kevin Correia (10-9) allowed four runs -- three earned -- on seven hits and walked three over six frames for Pittsburgh, which has lost five straight and nine of its last 11 games.
"They had some sideways damage done on him, but he gave us an opportunity to win the game," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said of his starter.
The Pirates, who also have dropped eight in a row on the road, put their first two batters on base in the seventh inning as Jose Tabata walked and Michael McKenry singled to center field. After pinch-hitter Jeff Clement grounded into a double play, another pinch-hitter, Gaby Sanchez, hit a line-drive home run to left field, trimming Pittsburgh's deficit to 4-3.
Scott Rolen, though, responded with a solo shot in the eighth for Cincinnati.
Jonathan Broxton worked the ninth for his first save as a Red.
Alex Presley homered off Leake in the first inning, but Phillips immediately countered by launching Correia's first pitch of the game over the left-field wall.
"I just went up there and tried to see a ball, tried to hit something hard," Phillips said. "I hit it real low and I hit it real hard and I'm mad happy that I hit a leadoff home run. It felt good."
Cincinnati grabbed the lead in the second on an RBI double by Phillips, which followed Dioner Navarro's leadoff walk and Leake's one-out single. Leake then hustled home on a wild pitch, beating a throw from the catcher McKenry that eluded Correia. The error enabled Phillips to score as well.
Game Notes
Reds closer Aroldis Chapman will be given a few days off to rest his tired shoulder ... The Pirates entered play leading the National League with 89 home runs on the road this season.
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