PITTSBURGH -- When the Reds rolled into May in sole possession of first place in the National League Central division, it was the first time since 2002 they held such status on May 1.
Friday's first day of May coincided with the first day of a significant challenge on Cincinnati's schedule -- a seven-game road trip vs. division rivals, the Pirates and Cubs.
It opened poorly during a 9-1 loss to Pittsburgh at PNC Park.
Cincinnati's sole possession of first place exists no more, for now. The Reds (20-12) moved back into a tie at the top with the Cubs after the Pirates snapped their five-game losing streak.
Two-out trouble defined the night for Reds starter Brady Singer, who was unable to pick up from Andrew Abbott's superb six-inning quality start for a win over the Rockies on Thursday.
Following a 91-minute rain delay ahead of first pitch, Singer lasted only 3 1/3 innings while allowing four runs, seven hits and two walks with one strikeout and a pair of home runs.
“I didn’t execute many good pitches, left a lot in the middle and they did damage to it," Singer said.
In the bottom of the first inning after a strikeout and a lineout, Singer threw an 0-2 fastball to Bryan Reynolds that was launched to center field for a solo homer.
“I feel like it’s kind of been a trend all season, trying to finish the inning," Singer said. "The whole thing was frustrating, but it was obviously more frustrating to be unable to finish those innings."
After a four-pitch leadoff walk to Henry Davis to open the bottom of the third, Singer had two outs again when Reynolds hit a liner to right-center field. Right fielder Spencer Steer missed with his diving catch attempt, resulting in an RBI triple.
“It looked like it actually sliced," manager Terry Francona said. "Off the bat, I think Spence thought he was going to get it. I looked at Freddie [Benavides, the bench coach] and said, ‘The ball kind of cut.’ And it was well hit. From there, it got tough.”
Ryan O'Hearn followed with an RBI single to right field for a 3-0 Pirates lead. There was one out in the fourth inning when Davis got an 0-1 sinker over the plate and hit it to center field for a solo homer. After a double to the next batter Oneil Cruz, Singer's night was finished.
“He made some mistakes and then he paid for it," Francona said.
Over seven starts this season, Singer is 2-2 with a 5.57 ERA.
Reliever Zach Maxwell finished the fourth inning, but he couldn't hold the score in place. Maxwell gave up a pair of two-run homers to Marcell Ozuna and Davis in the fifth inning to turn the game into a blowout that eventually required backup catcher Jose Trevino to pitch for the second time in three games. Trevino, throwing knuckleballs, worked a scoreless eighth inning on 11 pitches.
Meanwhile, the lineup notched only three hits on the night and had no answer for Pirates starter Mitch Keller. Cincinnati's only run crossed in the sixth inning when TJ Friedl hit a leadoff double and scored from third base on Elly De La Cruz's RBI groundout.
Before Friday, the Reds' schedule had them playing against a NL Central opponent just once -- and it was the Pirates, who took two of three games at Great American Ball Park March 30-April 1.
Francona had no concerns about playing rivals or what any outcome might mean.
“I never even think about it. I just go where they tell us. Wherever it says go, go," he said before the game.
Besides a road trip with some divisional stakes, the Reds' rotation is facing a pivotal moment in the upcoming week. With Brandon Williamson going on the injured list on Thursday with left shoulder fatigue, there is still a need to fill his spot on Monday when the trip shifts to Chicago. Jose Franco (No. 10 prospect), who was not used out of the bullpen during Friday's loss, is a potential option if he is not needed in relief on Saturday when Rhett Lowder is scheduled to start.
Nick Lodolo, who has yet to pitch a big league game this season because of a blister on his left index finger, is scheduled to throw 75-80 pitches during his rehab assignment start for Triple-A Louisville on Saturday at Omaha. A smooth outing without setbacks would potentially enable the Reds to activate Lodolo in time to pitch the road-trip finale on Thursday.
“After [Saturday] night’s game, we’ll try to figure out where we’re at," Francona said.