PITTSBURGH –– Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Jeff Hoffman is attempting to do two things at once.
The former top-50 prospect is making mechanical adjustments on the fly as Hoffman tries to set himself up for long-term success, while managing his first opportunity in an MLB starting rotation since 2019.
For the third consecutive start, Hoffman pitched four or fewer innings and allowed at least three runs. The Reds offense produced far below its run total from Monday’s game, and Cincinnati lost 7-2 to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday at PNC Park.
“We believe in what (Hoffman’s) doing,” manager David Bell said. “He has the talent. He has the arm. He’s had success. He continues to be part of our rotation, and he’ll get more opportunities.”
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The Reds and the Pirates were tied at one entering the fourth inning, and Hoffman had only allowed two hits. Then he hit rookie outfielder Ka’ai Tom with a breaking ball, allowed an RBI triple to seventh hitter Kevin Newman and an RBI triple to eighth hitter Troy Stokes Jr.
Hoffman gave up three runs in four innings, and he has allowed 10 runs and 10 hits over 10 ⅓ innings across his last three starts. Bell pulled Hoffman after the fourth inning to get a pinch-hitter in the game, and Hoffman’s ERA rose to 4.70.
“There were some things that we might not have done as well as we would’ve liked,” Hoffman said. “We got better in the category of expansion. I think we did fine getting to two strikes at times, but I just don’t think it was as consistent as we wanted it to be.”
Pirates starter JT Brubaker allowed just one run in six innings, and he only made one mistake against the Reds lineup.
On Tuesday, Cincinnati Reds left fielder Jesse Winker added to his standout start to the season. In the 20-year history of PNC Park, 61 MLB players have homered well over the right field fence and into the Allegheny River behind the ballpark.
Brubaker put his hands on his head as soon as Winker made contact with a 94 mph sinker. Winker’s line drive carried to right center field, bounced on a terrace outside PNC Park and fell into the river.
“I just want to help the team win ball games,” Winker said. “Everything is out of your control after you hit the ball. I just try to hit the ball hard, be a tough at-bat and just try to make a play or make a winning play if the opportunity presents itself.”
Winker raised his MLB-leading batting average to .374. Winker’s home run tied the score early on, and he finished 3-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Winker’s RBI double made it a two-run game in the top of the eighth inning, but Pittsburgh added three more runs in the bottom of the inning.
Against the Reds bullpen, the Pirates scored four runs, including a two-run homer in the eighth by second baseman Adam Frazier off Reds reliever Sean Doolittle.
The Reds fell to 16-17, and Bell credited Brubaker for his second impressive start against the Reds this season. One night after the Reds scored 14 runs, they were held to two.
“You saw what our offense has been able to do, and he did a really good job,” Bell said. “He located his fastball really well. You give him credit. (Winker) and Nick (Senzel) had good nights, but other than that, (Brubaker) was able to really shut down our lineup.”
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