PITTSBURGH — There was no 14-run explosion this time. Not even eight, as the Pirates had averaged over the past five games, all wins. Furthermore, the Pirates saw their quality start streak snapped at 11.
Not that any of it mattered.
The Pirates grabbed a lead early, picked up another run three innings later and used a terrific, lockdown performance from the bullpen — this time with some new faces — to earn a 2-1 victory against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park.
