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CINCINNATI -- Gerrit Cole allowed five hits through seven innings and hit a solo home run, lifting the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 1-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night at Great American Ball Park. Before Saturday, Cole had never beaten Cincinnati in nine previous starts, going 0-6 with a 5.14 ERA. The Pirates hadn't won any of Cole's previous starts vs. the Reds.
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Cole had no walks and six strikeouts on Saturday to move to 8-0 in his past nine road starts.
It was the seventh shutout win for the Pirates (62-68) this season, third on the road.
Cincinnati (55-75) was shut out for the 10th time this season and lost to the Pirates for just the third time in 12 meetings this season.
Reds first baseman Joey Votto went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts to snap his season-high 29-game on-base streak.
Felipe Rivero struck out three straight batters in the ninth for his 15th save, helping finish off the 21st 1-0 game in the 15-year history of Great American Ball Park.
Reds rookie right-hander Luis Castillo (2-7) almost was equally impressive, allowing three hits, one of which was Cole's home run, through seven innings with one walk and nine strikeouts, equaling his career high.
Saturday's game was a pitchers' duel throughout.
Castillo retired the first seven batters he faced before walking Chris Stewart with one out in the third. Castillo retired the next two batters.
The Pirates were hitless until Josh Bell doubled with two outs in the fourth. Bell was thrown out trying to score on David Freese's single to left, giving Reds left fielder Adam Duvall his major league-leading 13th assist.
Cole (11-8) retired the first six he faced before Scott Schebler's leadoff single in the third.
Schebler and Tucker Barnhart singled with two outs in the fifth putting runners at first and third. But Cole got Castillo to ground out to second to end the inning.
The first run of Saturday's game came from an unlikely source when Cole crushed Castillo's first pitch in the sixth into the left-field seats for his first home run of the season.
It was Cole's third career homer and first since May 26, 2016 vs. Arizona. And, it was all the offense Pittsburgh would need.
NOTES: Reds RHP Tyler Mahle will make his major league debut on Sunday afternoon. ... Reds C Chad Wallach, son of former major-leaguer Tim Wallach, will make his major league debut on Sunday. ... Reds RHP Homer Bailey is scheduled to start Wednesday against the New York Mets. ... Pirates C Francisco Cervelli was placed on the 10-day disabled list with left quad irritation. He was reinstated from the DL on Friday after recovering from a wrist injury. ... Pirates C Elias Diaz was recalled from Triple-A. ... Pirates LHP Wade LeBlanc, on the DL with a left quad strain, threw two innings and 45 pitches in a simulated game on Saturday.
