PITTSBURGH -- The Reds got two big pieces in their lineup back in a 4-1 loss to the Pirates at PNC Park on Friday night.
Right fielder Jay Bruce was back from the paternity list, hitting fifth. He went 1-for-4 with a double.
Second baseman Brandon Phillips was also back in the lineup. He had missed two games vs. the Mets after he was injured during his at-bat in the fourth inning Monday, when he fouled two balls off his left shin before New York right-hander Noah Syndergaard hit him in the left ring finger. X-rays on the finger were negative.
In his return to action, Phillips, batting fourth, went 0-for-4 but reached on a fielder's choice in the ninth, later scoring the Reds' only run of the game on Tucker Barnhart's double.

Reds manager Bryan Price is happy to have Bruce and Phillips back in the lineup.
"It's tough any time you sit two of your regulars, especially guys that sit in the middle of your order that have been impactful to the offense, both solid defensive players as well," Price said. "It's not easy to not write their names in the lineup, but it was the lay of the land for us in the Mets series. I'm glad to have them back."