Bruising rivalry: Reds, Pirates tally 6 HBP’s

CINCINNATI — Inside pitches and hit batters? It must be a Reds-Pirates series.

During Pittsburgh’s 5-4 win Wednesday, six players were hit by pitches, including four Pirates. The benches were warned and Reds reliever Ross Ohlendorf and manager Bryan Price were ejected.

The Pirates’ four HBP’s were one shy of their franchise record. That was set way back on April 23, 1890, when they were plunked five times by the Cleveland Spiders.

“It was one of the first really warm days of the year. The ball was slick all night,” Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart said. “There were obviously no intentions that we hit those guys with tonight.”

Over the last four seasons, Reds pitchers have hit 43 Pirates batters, including 10 this season. Pirates pitchers have hit 41 Reds batters, including five this season.

In the top of the fourth, Reds starter Alfredo Simon went high and tight on Francisco Cervelli with a 3-0 fastball. It missed Cervelli but knocked him to the ground for ball four. On the very next pitch, Simon plunked Jung Ho Kang with a fastball on the back.

To begin the bottom of the fourth, Nicasio plunked Brandon Phillips with his first pitch, drawing warnings to both benches by home-plate umpire Jeff Kellogg.

In the sixth with one out, …

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