Pirates 5, Reds 4, 11 innings
PITTSBUGH -- Just when it looked like the Pittsburgh Pirates might go into their first tailspin of a surprising season, they rallied for another victory.
Travis Snider's singled in the winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning as the Pirates came back from an early four-run deficit to beat the Cincinnati Reds 5-4 on Sunday at PNC Park.
The Pirates (35-22), who have had 20 straight losing seasons, avoided being swept in a series for the first time this season and also averted their first three-game losing streak.
Russell Martin scored the winning run after reaching on a one-out throwing error by Reds shortstop Zack Cozart. Pedro Alvarez then walked and, one out, later Snider singled to right-center off Alfredo Simon (4-2).
The Pirates tied the game in the eighth on a monstrous two-run home run by Garrett Jones off Jonathan Broxton.
The blast traveled 463 feet over the right-field stands and went into the Allegheny River on the fly. While 31 home runs have reached the water since PNC Park opened in 2001, Jones' was just the second to make it on the fly. Houston's Daryle Ward hit the other one on July 6, 2002, off Kip Wells.
Jones' homer came with two outs after Andrew McCutchen had extended the inning with a single. McCutchen had two of the Pirates' seven hits.
Pirates starter Jeanmar Gomez left the game after the first inning with tightness his right forearm. He was tagged for four runs and four hits while walking one and hitting a batter.
However, five relievers combined for 10 scoreless innings, including three each by Vin Mazzaro and Bryan Morris. Rookie left-hander Justin Wilson (5-0) pitched the final two for the win.
The Reds jumped on Gomez quickly as Shin-Soo Choo was hit by a pitch and scored on Cozart's triple.
Following a walk to Joey Votto, Jay Bruce singled in a run and Todd Frazier singled to load the bases. Xavier Paul followed with an RBI single and Devin Mesoraco capped the four-run inning with a sacrifice fly.
Alvarez hit his 11th home run, a two-out solo shot in the second inning, off Latos. In the sixth, McCutchen hit an RBI single to draw the Pirates within 4-2.
NOTES: Cincinnati 2B Brandon Phillips (bruised left forearm) did not play after being injured Saturday night when hit by a pitch. He is likely to miss the three-game series with Colorado that begins Monday night. ... Home plate umpire warned both teams after Latos hit Pirates 2B Neil Walker in the bottom of the first inning. Gomez had hit Choo in the top of the first. ... Pittsburgh OF Alex Presley started for a second straight day, this time subbing for Snider in right field. ... Reds RHP Bronson Arroyo (5-5, 3.75) will pitch Monday night against Rockies RHP Tyler Chatwood (3-0, 2.12). Arroyo is 2-1 with a 2.77 ERA in his last four starts. ... Pirates RHP A.J. Burnett (3-5, 2.72) faces Braves RHP Kris Medlen (1-6, 3.48) on Monday night in the first game of a three-game series at Atlanta. Burnett has lost his last three decisions and hasn't won since May 3.
