PITTSBURGH -- When the Reds added a starting pitcher in Zack Littell before the Trade Deadline, Nick Martinez enthusiastically accepted a bullpen role. Then, a Nick Lodolo blister on Monday moved Martinez right back into the rotation.

Manager Terry Francona often calls Martinez a “Swiss Army knife,” and the versatile right-hander certainly provided the much-needed sharpness during a critical Reds 2-1 win over the Pirates .

Martinez pitched seven innings, allowing just one run and four hits with two walks and four strikeouts. He retired 12 of his final 14 batters, including a four-pitch sixth inning.

Runs have been hard to come by for Cincinnati, which scored only three during its now-broken three-game losing streak -- and the Reds had to scrape again on Saturday. The go-ahead ru

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