CINCINNATI — Ivan Nova’s spring of discontent continued.
In the third inning of Thursday’s 5-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, Nova walked the leadoff batter. That was already a bad sign for a pitcher who entered the game averaging less than two walks per nine innings. After a single, a third batter reached on Nova’s high overhand throw to first base. With the bases loaded, Eugenio Suarez smacked a 384-foot grand slam, the Reds’ second of the series.
The Reds took the rubber match at Great American Ball Park, and the Pirates (27-22) return to Pittsburgh this weekend for a three-game series against the St.