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Grilli blows save, Pirates fall to Reds 2-1 in 13 innings

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates ended Mat Latos' streak of 21 starts without a loss by shutting out the Reds in the second game of their series. With another shutout within reach, they had one of their own pitching streaks busted.

Jay Bruce ended Jason Grilli's saves streak with a solo homer in the ninth, and Brandon Philips singled with the bases loaded in the 13th inning on Wednesday night, rallying the Cincinnati Reds to a 2-1 victory.

Two outs away from a second straight shutout, the Pirates let it get away.

Grilli started the ninth needing one more save to tie a club record. He had converted each of his 25 chances this season, one shy of Joel Hanrahan's 2011 club record to open a season.

Bruce came up with one out and a lot of daunting personal history — 0 for 7 in his career against Grilli with five strikeouts. He waited on a first-pitch fastball and got it, connecting for his fourth homer in his last six games.

"I've had pretty good success against him," Grilli said. "You feel horrible because the bullpen has been working a lot and we had to go extras and work harder. You lose a tough ballgame in an important series."

It was the first homer Grilli had allowed this season. Cincinnati hadn't scored in its last 17 innings since Bruce hit a solo homer during a 4-1 win on Monday night.

"You never plan on losing, but those things are going to happen occasionally," manager Clint Hurdle said. "That's the first time he hasn't been able to close and it's June 19? That's pretty good."

Manny Parra (1-1) pitched the 13th, and the Reds won it against Vin Mazzaro (3-2). Derrick Robinson and Shin-Soo Choo singled with one out, and Joey Votto was walked intentionally. Phillips singled up the middle to end it.

Phillips has been slumping, so the Pirates took their chances with him. His grounder was just out of reach.

"You're not going to let Votto beat you," Hurdle said. "Phillips has hit into (nine) double plays. That's what we wanted to do."

Phillips was hit on the left forearm in Pittsburgh on June 1 and missed four games with a bruise. He was batting only .164 since he got back in the lineup. He'd grounded into a double play in the first inning.

"I haven't been feeling right and I was doing things I don't normally do," Phillips said. "I felt a little better today."

The Reds are 5-7 in extra innings, tied with Colorado for most in the majors. They've gone to extra innings in three of their last seven games. The Pirates are 4-4 after their longest game of the season.

Cincinnati has held onto second place in the NL Central by winning two of three in the series, which concludes on Thursday.

Pittsburgh left-hander Jeff Locke gave up only four hits and three walks in seven innings. Starling Marte tripled and scored on an error by pitcher Bronson Arroyo in the third.

Both teams wasted chances to end it earlier. The Reds had a runner thrown out at the plate, and the Pirates left the bases loaded twice and got two runners picked off. Also, Bruce stretched to the top of the wall in right to rob Andrew McCutchen in the seventh.

Arroyo gave up six hits in seven innings. He hit Russell Martin in the back of the left shoulder with an 88 mph fastball in the fifth inning. Alfredo Simon hit Jordy Mercer in the back in the ninth, the 18th time a batter's been hit during the nine games between the teams this season.

Pirate pitchers have plunked 10, Reds pitchers eight. Choo has been hit six times, Marte three times, Phillips and McCutchen twice each, and five other players once apiece.

The Pirates pulled off an unusual relay to cut down a runner at the plate in the second inning. Zack Cozart tried to score from first base on Ryan Hanigan's two-out double to left. Marte's throw to the infield went over Mercer's head at shortstop, but second baseman Neil Walker was backing up the play, made the relay and got Cozart.

NOTES: The Reds haven't been shut out in back-to-back games since Aug. 30-31, 2011, when they lost to the Phillies 9-0 and 3-0. ... Pirates LHP Wandy Rodriguez, on the DL with tightness in his left forearm, will throw 35 to 40 pitches off a mound on Thursday. If he has no problems, he'll make a rehab start in the minors on Sunday. ... Arroyo had another scoreless first inning. He has allowed one run total in the first innings of his last 19 starts. ... RHP Homer Bailey starts the final game of the series for Cincinnati. He's 8-2 in career against Pittsburgh, including a no-hitter at PNC Park last September. RHP Brandon Cumpton makes his second career start for the Pirates.