Reds vs. Pirates: Bucs clinch 20th straight losing season after blowing lead

The Pittsburgh Pirates led going into the ninth inning, but gave up two runs in the top half and could not come back, losing the series finale, 4-3, to the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday afternoon.

Pirates vs. Reds: Game time, TV schedule, and more

The Pittsburgh Pirates' quest to reach the .500 mark before the end of the season continues Sunday, as a three-game series with the visiting Cincinnati Reds concludes at PNC Park. Saturday's walk-off victory, 2-1, kept alive the Pirates' hopes to snap a 19-year streak of losing seasons.

Lefty Wandy Rodriguez (12-13) will take the mound for the Pirates (77-81) and oppose the Reds' Johnny Cueto (19-9). Cueto will be looking to become the third National League pitcher to reach the 20-win mark -- New York Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey and the Washington Nationals' Gio Gonzalez have each already accomplished the feat. If Cueto is able to win his 20th game, he would become the first Red to reach the plateau since Danny Jackson in 1988.

Rodriguez is looking for his fifth consecutive win.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. ET, and the game can be watched locally on Root Sports.

Reds vs. Pirates final score: Andrew McCutchen hits walk-off blast for 2-1 win

The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Cincinnati Reds 2-1 on an Andrew McCutchen walk-off home run in the ninth inning on Saturday night at PNC Park.

The Pirates kept their hopes of finishing .500 alive with a dramatic win, capped by McCutchen's 31st round-tripper of the season off of Jonathan Broxton.

The contest remained scoreless into the seventh inning before Pittsburgh jumped in front with an Alex Presley RBI double. However, the lead would be short-lived thanks to a RBI single courtesy of Scott Rolen. Then, of course, McCutchen made his presence felt to let everyone go home happy.

Mike Leake and Kyle McPherson had almost identical outings, with both pitching six innings and allowing just four hits. McPherson's scoreless, five-strikeout outing ended his season with a bang. Joel Hanrahan earned the victory by throwing a scoreless ninth frame, moving his record to 5-1.

Pedro Alvarez was the only man on either team to have a multi-hit game, collecting two knocks, including a double.

What does Homer Bailey's no-hitter mean for Pirates?

For the Bucs, Homer Bailey's no-hitter was merely a mild embarrassment in a season that's now full of them.

Pirates vs. Reds preview: game time, TV schedule, probable pitchers

The Cincinnati Reds have clinched the National League Central division, and are trying to ensure home field advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are out of the playoff race, but could still finish the year at .500 if they win their final five games. That would snap their streak of 19 consecutive seasons with a losing record. After a great start to the season, the Pirates are 14-35 since Aug. 6.

The Pirates will send Kyle McPherson to the mound, making just the third start of his career. McPherson has served as a reliever since August, and made his first two starts on Sept. 19 and 24.

The Reds counter with Mike Leake, who will try to replicate Homer Bailey's Friday night success. Leake is 8-9 this year with a 4.73 ERA. The young righty is Cincinnati's fifth starter, and will be making his case for potential innings during the playoffs.

Saturday's game starts at 7:05 ET and will air on ROOT.

Reds 1, Pirates 0: Homer Bailey throws no-hitter against Pittsburgh

Cincinnati's Homer Bailey no-hit the Pittsburgh Pirates, as the Reds won a 1-0 decision at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Bailey struck out 10 Pirates, including Pedro Alvarez and Jordy Mercer twice each.

Pittsburgh had two base runners on the night: The first came when Clint Barmes reached first base after an error by Scott Rolen in the third inning. Andrew McCutchen walked in the bottom of the seventh before being caught stealing.

There was little trouble in the ninth, as Bailey struck out Brock Holt, induced a fly by Michael McKenry and got Alex Presley to pop out to end the game.

Pittsburgh's A.J. Burnett threw a nice game of his own, allowing only one Cincinnati run. The Reds scored it in the first inning when a Todd Frazier sacrifice fly scored Brandon Phillips. After that, Burnett cruised through eight innings, allowing seven hits while striking out five.

This was the first time Pittsburgh has been no-hit since the Cardinals' Bob Gibson pitched a no-no in an 11-0 St. Louis decision in 1971. The Pirates have had a September to forget, falling out of the playoff chase and losing their chance at a first winning record since 1992.

Reds' Homer Bailey no-hitting Pittsburgh through 8

Homer Bailey of the Cincinnati Reds is no-hitting the Pittsburgh Pirates through eight innings at PNC Park. An Andrew McCutchen drew a walk in the only Pirates baserunner of the contest thus far. Bailey has nine strikeouts through eight innings, including two each of Pedro Alvarez and Jordy Mercer.

Pittsburgh's AJ Burnett has thrown a nice game of his own, allowing only one Cincinnati run. The Reds scored the only run of the ballgame in the first inning, when a Todd Frazier sacrifice fly scored Brandon Phillips. After that, Burnett cruised through eight innings, allowing seven hits while striking out five. Tony Watson is pitching the top of the ninth for Pittsburgh.

The Pirates have no been no-hit since 1971, when Bob Gibson of the St. Louis Cardinals threw the no-no in an 11-0 Cardinals victory. The Pirates have had a September to forget, falling out of the playoff chase and losing their first chance at a winning record since 1992.

Reds vs Pirates lineup: Reds fighting for home field advantage in the playoffs versus Pirates

The Cincinnati Reds trail the Washington Nationals by a single game for the best record in the National League heading into Friday's game versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Friday's lineups are as follows:

Cincinnati Reds

1) Brandon Phillips - 2B
2) Zack Cozart - SS
3) Joey Votto - 1B
4) Todd Frazier - LF
5) Jay Bruce - RF
6) Scott Rolen - 3B
7) Drew Stubbs - CF
8) Ryan Hanigan - C
9) Homer Bailey - P

Pittsburgh Pirates

1) Alex Presley - LF
2) Jordy Mercer - 2B
3) Andrew McCutchen - CF
4) Garrett Jones - 1B
5) Jose Tabata - RF
6) Pedro Alvarez - 3B
7) Clint Barmes - SS
8) Rod Barajas - C
9) A.J. Burnett - P

AJ Burnett is in search of his 17th win of the season for the Pirates on Friday when he takes the mound against Homer Bailey, who is 12-10 on the year with a 3.92 ERA. The first pitch is at 7:05 p.m. at PNC Park.

Reds vs. Pirates preview: Bucs begin final homestand of 2012

Without much left to play for, the Pittsburgh Pirates will square off against the Cincinnati Reds in the first part of a six-game homestand. A.J. Burnett starts for Pittsburgh.