Cincinnati, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Mat Latos left Friday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates due to low back spasms.
In the second inning, Latos pulled up after running hard to first base following a bunt. He was checked on twice at the mound by manager Bryan Price and a trainer before leaving.
Latos surrendered three hits and four runs -- three earned over five innings. The Pirates were ahead 4-1 at the time, and Latos was in line for his second loss of the season. He surrendered homers to Andrew McCutchen and Pedro Alvarez.
The right-hander began the season on the disabled list while rehabbing right elbow and left knee surgeries.
It's the second straight day a Reds starter has had to leave a game early. Homer Bailey departed in the fifth inning of Thursday's game against the Cubs with pain in the patellar tendon in his right knee.
The Reds rallied to win Friday's game, 6-5.
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