Apr 6, 2015 4 min read

CINCINNATI – Andrew McCutchen gave the Pirates a chance to pull it out. They couldn’t overcome one poorly placed fastball.

Todd Frazier hit a three-run homer in the eighth inning, overcoming another stumble by the bullpen and rallying the Cincinnati Reds to an opening 5-2 victory over Pittsburgh on Monday.

Billy Hamilton and Joey Votto singled before Frazier connected on a down-the-middle fastball from Tony Watson (0-1), snapping a 2-2 tie.

“Right down the middle,” Watson said. “Not where I wanted it to be. It’s tough on opening day, when you want to get out of the chute with a win. We fought back with Cutch’s home run, then giving up a three-run home run is tough.”

Johnny Cueto, the Reds’ 20-game winner in the final year of a contract, opened his uncertain season with another dominating performance against the Pirates. He fanned 10 batters in seven innings before turning a 2-0 lead over to a bullpen that was a big problem last season.

McCutchen tied it with a two-run shot off newcomer Kevin Gregg. McCutchen has hit safely in his last 11 games at Great American Ball Park with five homers.

“He has a comfort zone here,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. “He’s hit some big homers late.”

Jumbo Diaz (1-0) got the final out in the eighth for his first career win. Aroldis Chapman fanned two of the three batters he faced for the save.

Jay Bruce hit a solo homer, and Francisco Liriano balked home a run in his first game since Pittsburgh gave him the biggest free-agent contract in franchise history – three years, $39 million. Liriano allowed two hits in seven innings.

The Ohio River rivals have ended the last two seasons in Cincinnati with a lot at stake. The Pirates finished the 2013 regular season by sweeping a series and clinching home-field advantage for the wild-card game. Last year, Cueto beat the Pirates 4-1 for his 20th win, relegating Pittsburgh to another wild-card game.

It was the first time they opened a season together since 2003 in the inaugural game at Great American Ball Park. With the late homers, it had the feel of those September games.

“That’s baseball,” McCutchen said. “Game One. Got a lot more left.”

Hamilton reached on a fielder’s choice in the third inning and took third base on Votto’s single, his first hit since July 4. Plate umpire John Hirschbeck called a balk on Liriano, making it 1-0.

Votto, the NL MVP in 2010, didn’t play after July 5 because of strained muscles above his left knee.

Bruce, who was limited after surgery for torn knee cartilage last season, homered in the fourth.

It was 68 degrees at the first pitch, but rain began falling only 18 minutes into the game. There was a 35-minute delay in the top of the sixth inning.

Openers: Pittsburgh is 69-60 in season openers, including 19-10 against the Reds. Cincinnati is 67-71-1.

Harrison’s homecoming: Pirates third baseman Josh Harrison got a loud cheer during pregame introductions. The Cincinnati native was in the starting lineup on opening day for the first time, and it just happened to be in his hometown. He doubled and singled.

“Isn’t it great?” Hurdle said. “We can’t write this stuff up. Nobody had this. Sports writes its own story time after time after time.”

Trainer’s room: Pirates: The Pirates opened the season with five players on the disabled list, including starter Charlie Morton, who is recovering from hip surgery.

Reds: Manager Bryan Price said right-hander Homer Bailey will make at least two rehab appearances before being activated from the DL. Bailey is recovering from forearm surgery last September.

Up next: The teams have a day off. Gerrit Cole starts for Pittsburgh on Wednesday. He tied a career high by fanning 12 Reds at Great American in the final regular-season game last season. Cincinnati starts Mike Leake, who is 4-0 in his last eight starts against Pittsburgh with a 2.75 ERA. He hasn’t lost to Pittsburgh since May 5, 2012.