CINCINNATI — Mark Melancon blows a save about once in a blue moon, and Starling Marte ensured it didn’t happen Friday night.
As a bright moon crested over the Great American Ball Park scoreboard, which blinked a 5-4 Pirates lead, Marte threw out Brandon Phillips at the plate in the ninth inning, then robbed Marlon Byrd with a diving catch to preserve the win and Melancon’s 33rd save this season.
In the seventh, Joakim Soria, a closer by trade but not Friday night, salvaged his Pirates debut by snaring Cincinnati Reds catcher Brayan Pena’s screaming line drive as it zipped over his head with the bases loaded and two outs.