CINCINNATI -- Starling Marte hit his first career grand slam, connecting off new Reds closer J.J. Hoover and lifting the unbeaten Pittsburgh Pirates over Cincinnati 6-5 on a blustery Friday night.
The Pirates improved to 4-0 for the first time since 2003 by taking advantage of Cincinnati's unsettled back of the bullpen. The Reds lost for the first time.
Down 5-2, Pittsburgh loaded the bases in the eighth inning off Ross Ohlendorf, who hit a batter, walked another and gave up an infield hit with two outs. Hoover (0-1) came on for his first save opportunity since replacing closer Aroldis Chapman, who was traded to the Yankees in the offseason.