Todd Frazier's three-run, eighth-inning home run sent Cincinnati past Pittsburgh by a 5-2 count in the season opener for both clubs at a rain-splashed Great American Ball Park.
Kevin Gregg ruined a solid outing from Johnny Cueto with one pitch in the top of the frame, as Andrew McCutcheon tied the score on a two-out, two- run blast.
But Tony Watson (0-1) gave those runs back in the home half. He allowed one- out singles to Billy Hamilton and Joey Votto, and, after Hamilton stole third, served up the deciding pitch to Frazier, whose blast landed an estimated 432 feet.
Jumbo Diaz (1-0) recorded the final out in the eighth and Aroldis Chapman retired the side in the ninth for his first save.
Cueto fanned 10 and gave up four hits and a walk over his seven-inning start. Counterpart Francisco Liriano also lasted seven frames, allowing two runs on as many hits while fanning seven and issuing three walks.
[SportsNetwork.com]
