Late runs from Phillips, Peraza seal Reds’ win

PITTSBURGH — Every loss at this point puts a dent in the Pirates’ postseason aspirations, and the Reds were all too pleased to provide the latest ding. It came in the top of the ninth inning, when Jose Peraza’s sacrifice fly gave Cincinnati a 4-3 victory over Pittsburgh at PNC Park.

The Pirates had battled back from three one-run deficits of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2, but they were unable to find one more comeback in the tank in the bottom of the ninth. Raisel Iglesias, who blew the lead in the eighth, hit the first two batters — David Freese and Francisco Cervelli — with pitches and both runners moved into scoring position on Jordy Mercer’s sacrifice bunt. But Iglesias escaped to get the victory, snapping Cincinnati’s five-game losing streak. Meanwhile, the Pirates have lost nine of their last 11 games to fall to 4 1/2 games back in the National League Wild Card standings.

In the top of the ninth against Tony Watson, Eugenio Suarez hit a leadoff single to left field and advanced on Ramon Cabrera’s sacrifice bunt. It appeared third baseman Jung Ho Kang had a potential play at second base, but he opted for the sure out at first base. It proved key, as a Tyler Holt …

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