Pittsburgh 3, Cincinnati 2

Pirates 3, Reds 2: Neil Walker and Alex Presley socked two-out home runs as host Pittsburgh won Game 2 of its three-game set against Cincinnati.

Walker, who finished 2-for-4, hit a two-run, two-out homer over the fence in right field in the third to help lead the Pirates to just their second win in five games.

Presley, stepping in as a pinch hitter in the seventh, put the Pirates up 3-1 with a two-out solo shot to right.

James McDonald (2-1) lasted 6 1/3 innings, allowing one run on six hits. He struck out seven, giving him 25 strikeouts in his last three starts. Joel Hanrahan picked up his fifth straight save.

Jay Bruce tripled with one out in the seventh and came around to score on Scott Rolen’s single to cut the lead in half.

Cincinnati pulled within one again in the eighth when Presley misplayed Zack Cozart’s double to left, allowing Devin Mesoraco to score from first base.

Mike Leake (0-4) allowed three runs on four hits – two home runs – and struck out four in seven innings.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Pirates CF Andrew McCutchen returned after sitting out with the stomach flu on Friday. … Pirates 3B Pedro Alvarez batted cleanup for the first time this season. … Reds 1B Joey Votto went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk.

• Pittsburgh will play their next game at home against Cincinnati. The Pirates have a W/L % of .182 after a win and .625 after a loss.
• Cincinnati will play their next game on the road against Pittsburgh. The Reds have a W/L % of .429 after a win and .583 after a loss.