Thompson takes no-hitter into sixth as Pirates beat Reds 3-1

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Zach Thompson took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and Daniel Vogelbach homered to lead the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 3-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night.

Brandon Drury broke up the no-hit bid by lining a clean single to right field with two outs.

Despite having not allowed a hit that deep into the game, Thompson wasn’t thinking no-no.

“When it landed, everyone started cheering, and I was like, ‘Why are we cheering for someone else getting a hit?'" Thompson said. “And then I looked out and saw there was a 1 (in the hit column) and was like, ‘Huh?'

“I didn’t know I had one until the ball was hit,” Thompson added. “Everyone started cheering and that’s when I looked up and saw it was their first hit.”

That was the only hit allowed by Thompson (2-3) in six innings. He had three walks and three strikeouts while throwing 76 pitches. He combined with Wil Crowe, Chris Stratton and David Bednar on a four-hitter that ended the Reds’ three-game winning streak.

Thompson entered with a 7.08 ERA in six games, including five starts, but ran his scoreless innings streak to 12. Last Sunday, he pitched five shutout innings at Cincinnati but did not get a decision.

“He makes pitches and he has good movement on them,” Cincinnati manager David Bell said. “You’ve got to give him credit. It was an outstanding start.”

Acquired from the Marlins in an offseason trade that sent Gold Glove-winning catcher Jacob Stallings to Miami, Thompson is happy to be settling in with his new team. He made a mechanical adjustment before the start in Cincinnati and his body is now more in line with home plate when he throws.

“Obviously, the tough start is something you don’t want to have,” Thompson said. “To be able to come back and show everyone who I am and how I pitch has been important to me.”

Bednar retired the last four batters for his sixth save in as many opportunities.

Vogelbach’s 433-foot leadoff home run to center off Luis Castillo in the fourth made it 3-0. It was Vogelbach’s team-leading sixth homer and the game’s lone extra-base hit.

“I was just trying to get something out over the plate,” Vogelbach said. “I never get many good pitches to hit from him. He’s got really good stuff. I don’t think I ever got a hit off him before.”

Rodolfo Castro had two of the Pirates’ five hits.