Pirates 6, Reds 4 (Game 1)

Thus the winning streak ends. The loss points up how difficult it's going to be for the Reds to keep winning consistently with three question marks in the rotation.

Elizardo Ramirez is 0-2 with a 8.79 ERA in his three starts. He says his shoulder's OK. But I haven't seen him hit 90 mph yet. He was consistently at 90, 91 when he was going good last year.

Matt Belisle and Tom Shearn are coming off good starts. But they have to string a few together for the Reds to play the way they need to get into real contention.

By the way, Jeff Keppinger started the game in right. He just threw Jose Castillo trying to stretch a single into a double. It saved the Reds a run. Very nice play.