Pastore and Reds Turn Back Giants on Four Hits, 6-1

Veteran right-hander Frank Pastore, bolstering his confidence in the bullpen, made his second start of the season Tuesday and thrust himself back into the Cincinnati Reds’ pitching plans.

Pastore, who hadn’t started since April 25, went the distance on a four-hitter and retired 17 of the last 18 batters in a 6-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants, raising his career record to 6-2 at Candlestick Park.

“I get very positive vibes, at Candlestick,” said Pastore, 2-0, who replaced struggling John Stuper in the rotation. “San Francisco is my favorite city on the road. I like the environment.”

Manager Pete Rose, whose Reds won with the help of four unearned runs, attributed Pastore’s success to a bullpen stint. In his previous nine relief appearances, he yielded only two runs in 14 innings.

“It was Frank’s best game in some time,” Rose said. “The bullpen work helped him throw strikes and gave him confidence. He got the opportunity today and he took advantage of it.”

The Giants took a 1-0 lead with an unearned run in the third. Jose Uribe singled after his foul pop was dropped, Bill Laskey, 1-8, sacrificed and Manny Trillo hit a two-out single.

Laskey blanked the Reds on one hit until the sixth, when Gary Redus’ one-out double triggered a three-run rally. Eddie Milner followed with a double for 1-1 tie.

With two out, Dave Parker lined a run-scoring single for the lead and went to second on center fielder Joel Youngblood’s error. Parker scored on Allen Knicely’s single.

Ron Oester, leading off the seventh, was safe on second baseman Trillo’s error. Wayne Krenchicki walked and Pastore was safe on a fielder’s choice when Laskey fielded a sacrifice bunt and threw late to third, loading the bases.

Redus belted a sacrifice fly and Milner singled, loading the bases. Frank Williams replaced Laskey and Pete Rose walked. Parker’s sacrifice fly concluded the scoring.