PITTSBURGH -- Getting to .500 certainly is not the ultimate goal for a franchise that has been to the post-season in three of the last four seasons. Considering the Cincinnati Reds started the year at 3-8, however, they were happy to get their record to 11-11 on Thursday. Ryan Ludwick lined a two-run double after two batters were hit by pitches, lifting Tony Cingrani and the Reds over the Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1. The Reds won for the seventh time in nine games. "Three series wins in a row, back to .500," Ludwick said. "The pitching was outstanding. Pitching wins championships and those guys did an outstanding job. If we keep getting pitching like that, were going to be back in this thing in a hurry." The Pirates have lost six of seven, scoring a total of 22 runs in that span. Cingrani (2-2) allowed one run and six hits in six innings. He struck out seven and walked two. Logan Ondrusek, Sam LeCure and Jonathan Broxton pitched one scoreless inning each in relief of Cingrani. Broxton recorded his fourth save. "Certainly a great series here," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "We had to battle -- they pitched us tough, as they always do. Theyve got a good squad, and some way we found a way to grind out three victories here. Im really proud of the boys." Ludwicks double in the sixth drove in Joey Votto and Todd Frazier. Both of them were plunked by rookie Brandon Cumpton (0-1), promoted from Triple-A earlier in the day. "It was great because we were starting to get a little irritated because we had three hit batters in the game and a couple of our guys got squared up pretty good," Price said. "I dont think there was any intent to it, but the fact his two-run double followed the third hit by pitch had a little bit more sweetness to it for sure," he said. Cumpton gave up just two runs in seven innings while taking the rotation spot of lefty Wandy Rodriguez, put on the disabled list Monday with inflammation in his left knee. Cumpton held the Reds to four hits while walking one and striking out five, but also hit three batters. He had a string of 20 consecutive scoreless innings in the major leagues, dating to last season, until Ludwick snapped it. "I was feeling good, trying to attack guys and be aggressive," Cumpton said. "Unfortunately, I let a couple of pitches get away." Ludwick had two of the Reds five hits. Neil Walker got two of Pittsburghs seven hits. The Pirates scored in the first inning when Pedro Alvarez singled in Walker, who had drawn a walk. Pittsburgh left eight runners on base as it fell a season-worst five games under .500 at 9-14 a year after both making the post-season and having a winning record for the first time since 1992. "We cant worry about where we are right now," Pirates centre fielder Andrew McCutchen said. "We know were going to be better. Were going to learn as a team and keep pushing forward." "Its having a trust in one another, having each others backs. Weve just to keep working on things." NOTES: Reds CF Billy Hamilton was caught stealing as a pinch runner. He didnt start, and Price said he wants to give the rookie leadoff hitter some regular mental breaks throughout the season. ... Pittsburgh C Russell Martin did not start for a second straight game with what manager Clint Hurdle said after the game was "lower body soreness." . Cincinnati opens a three-game series Friday night against the Braves at Atlanta with RHP Homer Bailey 1-1, 5.75) facing RHP Ervin Santana (2-0, 0.86). ... The Pirates begin a three-game series Friday at St. Louis against the Cardinals with RHP Gerrit Cole (2-1, 3.67) matching up against RHP Shelby Miller (1-2, 3.57). Wholesale Pirates Jerseys . The Detroit Tigers closer blew a three-run lead in the ninth inning Wednesday night against the Dodgers. Pirates Jerseys China . -- Jacksonvilles offensive makeover is just getting starting. https://www.cheappiratesjerseys.us/. Joining him in this years class were Switzerlands Patrick Huerlimann and Norways Eigil Ramsfjell. The announcement was made at the world mens curling championship at Capital Indoor Stadium in China. Pittsburgh Pirates Shirts . Vettel only needs to finish fifth or better Sunday to wrap up the championship with three races remaining, and bettered his own lap record to claim his third straight pole at Buddh International Circuit. Pittsburgh Pirates Store .C. -- Cam Newton wasnt flawless on Sunday.(SportsNetwork.com) - Two of the NBAs storied franchises have fallen on hard times, but theyll meet Sunday afternoon when the Los Angeles Lakers visit Madison Square Garden to face the New York Knicks. The Lakers are last in the Pacific Division, own the second-worst mark in the Western Conference and fourth-worst in the whole league. New York is last in the Atlantic Division, last in the Eastern Conference and have the second-worst record in the NBA. The Lakers begin a four-game eastern road trip with stops in Milwaukee, Orlando and Cleveland on the horizon. They closed a three-game homestand with a thrilling victory on Thursday. Without Kobe Bryant, who is gone for the season with a torn rotator cuff, the Lakers spoiled Pau Gasols return to Los Angeles thanks to a 123-118 double- overtime win over the Chicago Bulls. Jordan Hill had 26 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Lakers. LA squandered a 15-point second half advantage and a nine-point cushion late in regulation. Chicago didnt take it first lead until the early moments of the first overtime when Derrick Rose knocked down a 3-pointer at the 4:42 mark. Hill, though, sent the game into another extra session with a late jumper from the left wing in overtime and LA pulled away in the second OT. Wayne Ellington posted 23 points and five rebounds for the Lakers, who snapped a nine-game losing streak. Jordan Clarksoon (18), Carlos Boozer (16), Jeremy Lin (11) and Ed Davis (10) rounded out the double-figure scorers.dddddddddddd Our guys battled. Played extremely hard all night, Lakers coach Byron Scott said. Was happy with the teams poise and ability to bounce back in the OTs. The Knicks have won four of their last six, but last time out, they fell on the road to the Indiana Pacers, 103-82, Thursday. Not even a surprise start by Carmelo Anthony could keep the Knicks close. The All-Star forward was questionable on the second game of a back-to-back and finished with 18 points, but New Yorks defense did not duplicate its efforts over the past two weeks. We ran out of gas, to be honest, Anthony admitted. It was one of those nights where we took a step backwards. During a five-game stretch that saw them go 4-1, the Knicks allowed just 91.4 points per game -- more than 10 points fewer than their season average. The Knicks led by 11 early on, but they reverted back to their sieve-like ways against the Pacers, who scored 67 points during the second and third quarters on 63 percent shooting. Lou Amundson, who was signed for the remainder of the season, had 17 points and Tim Hardaway, Jr. finished with 11. The Lakers are 11-3 in their last 14 against the Knicks, but all three of New Yorks wins during that span came in the last three meetings at Madison Square Garden. ' ' '