Pirate Rookie Shuts Down Reds in Opener, 7-1

Right-hander Mike York, called up for just one start, pitched seven shutout innings in his major-league debut, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates a 7-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds in the opener of Friday’s twi-night doubleheader.

The 25-year-old York also singled in his first at-bat and scored the first run as the Pirates snapped the Reds’ four-game winning streak. Pittsburgh brought York up because of three doubleheaders in the last 12 days and reportedly plans to return him to Class AAA Buffalo, where he was 8-5 with one shutout and a 4.54 ERA.

He had little trouble with the Reds, yielding six hits -- all singles -- and walking two without a strikeout. Bob Patterson gave up a run in the eighth on a single by Chris Sabo, a stolen base and Mariano Duncan’s single. Pittsburgh’s Bobby Bonilla matched that in the ninth with his 26th home run off Rosario Rodriguez.

The Pirates took advantage of Jose Rijo’s wildness. Rijo (8-6) walked six in 3 2-3 innings, including four in the fourth.

Barry Bonds had a single and a pair of stolen bases to become the first Pirate to hit 20 homers and steal 40 bases in a season. He has 23 homers and 40 steals.

York got the first hit off Rijo, a soft single to right in the third inning. He scored on Wally Backman’s double.

Rijo helped the Pirates to a pair of runs in the fourth when he loaded the bases with none out by walking Bonilla, Bonds and Sid Bream. Mike LaValliere singled for one run and Rijo walked Backman with two out to force in another.