BASEBALL ROUNDUP : Pirates Get No Relief in 10-4 Loss

The Pittsburgh Pirates entered Thursday night’s game against the Cincinnati Reds with a five-game winning streak and an unbeaten bullpen that had a 1.55 earned-run average.

The streak ended and the ERA ballooned when the Reds launched an eight-run, eighth-inning rally in a 10-4 victory at Pittsburgh.

Rookie Joe Oliver hit a three-run home run, and Paul O’Neill had a sacrifice fly and two-run single in the eighth as the Reds improved to 13-3 on the road and raised their National League West lead to seven games over the Dodgers. The East-leading Pirates lost for the fourth time in the past 19 games and lead the Montreal Expos by 2 1/2.

Pirate reliever Ted Power (0-1), who was previously unscored upon in 13 innings, saw his ERA jump to 3.38 by giving up six hits and six runs in the eighth.

With the score, 2-2, after seven innings, Barry Larkin doubled, Todd Benzinger tripled and O’Neill hit a sacrifice fly off Power to make it 4-2.

Mariano Duncan and Billy Hatcher singled, Oliver homered and Norm Charlton (1-0) beat out an infield hit to chase Power, who is 0-4 in four appearances against the Reds in his career.

Bob Kipper, making his first appearance after elbow surgery, retired Chris Sabo on a groundout before Herm Winningham singled and Larkin walked to load the bases. Shortstop Jay Bell committed a error on a grounder by Benzinger allowing Charlton to score, and O’Neill’s two-run single capped the inning.

San Diego 9, St. Louis 1--Roberto Alomar raised his average to .358 with two doubles and two singles at St. Louis, and the Padres handed the Cardinals their sixth loss in seven games.

Alomar has batted .458 while hitting safely in 11 of his last 12 games.

Garry Templeton and Bip Roberts each hit two-run homers to back Dennis Rasmussen (3-1), who scattered seven hits.

Joe Magrane (0-6) lost for the eighth consecutive time in 13 starts since Aug. 29.

Todd Zeile hit his third homer for the Cardinals, who have scored three or fewer runs in seven of their last eight.

Kansas City 6, Texas 2--Bo Jackson’s three-run homer off the right-field foul pole keyed a six-run eighth inning at Arlington, Tex.

Jackson’s homer off reliever Gary Mielke was his second of the season.

Jeff Montgomery (3-1) pitched 2 2/3 hitless innings after relieving starter Tom Gordon, who gave up two runs on six hits.

Kevin Brown (5-1), who had a six-hit shutout after seven innings, suffered his first loss.

Detroit 10, Toronto 5--Temperatures were in the 30s and there were occasional snow showers at Detroit, but Cecil Fielder continued to swing a hot bat for the Tigers.

Fielder had three hits, including his major league-leading 13th home run, and drove in three runs as the Tigers beat Todd Stottlemyre (4-3), who had won four consecutive decisions.

Mookie Wilson homered for the Blue Jays, and Larry Sheets homered for the Tigers.

Jeff Robinson (2-3) gave up five runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings for the victory.

Minnesota 3 Cleveland 2--Gary Gaetti’s two-run double at Minneapolis capped a three-run sixth inning that gave the Twins their seventh victory in eight games.

Roy Smith (1-3) got the victory, giving up six hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Rick Aguilera pitched two scoreless innings for his seventh save.

Cory Snyder homered for the Indians.