PITTSBURGH — Some players insist it doesn't matter when they play against their former team, that it's just another game. Pokey Reese isn't one of those.

Pokey Reese runs off the field after the game. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

        “I was jacked up for this game,” said Reese, who spent five seasons in Cincinnati before signing with the Pirates. “I was almost too high before it started. But I got through it ... I don't have too many four-RBI games.”

        Reese drove in four runs with a two-run homer and a single in the Pirates' 6-3 win over the Reds Wednesday night.

        “That was the Pokey show tonight,” said Aaron Boone, who played in the Reds infield with Reese last season. “He definitely was special out there. He obviously really hurt us with the bat.”

        And with his glove. Reese, the Pirates' second baseman, drew only his second error of the season on a tough call in the third when he misplayed Austin Kearns' grounder while scrambling to cover second base. But he also made the defensive play of the game, running into center field to make a backhanded grab of Boone's fly ball to end the seventh.

        Reese put the Pirates ahead 2-1 in the second with a two-run single that followed Kevin Young's leadoff single and Chad Hermansen's double. His homer — only his second of the season — came in the sixth.

        With Jimmy Anderson (7-10) lasting seven innings for only the second time in his last 11 starts, the Pirates improved to 6-1 since the All-Star break. They went into the break losing 13 of 19.

        Anderson, a winner only once in his previous seven starts, got off to another shaky start by walking Boone and Adam Dunn in succession in the first ahead of Sean Casey's run-scoring single.

        Anderson's wildness prompted a visit to the mound by manager Lloyd McClendon, who, aggravated with Anderson's inconsistency in his previous start, yanked the left-hander in the third inning with the Pirates leading 3-2 Friday in Milwaukee. The Pirates went on to win 9-2.

        This time, McClendon was only trying to settle Anderson down, and the pitcher responded by limiting the Reds to three hits and a run over his final six innings. Anderson left after throwing 104 pitches, giving up four hits and two runs. Dempster, only 2-for-36 previously this season, had an RBI double in the Reds' fourth.

        “I should have screamed from the dugout, "I'm not taking you out,' “ McClendon said. “I just told him I wasn't taking him out, that it was his game regardless of what happened, so he should find a way to get it done.”

        Going into the game, Anderson was 1-8 with a 7.79 ERA at PNC Park. Another loss also would have tied him with Milwaukee's Ben Sheets for the NL lead with 11.

        “I just had to get back to basics and throw strikes,” Anderson said. “I know I haven't been pitching well here — but, last year, I threw a lot better here than I did on the road.”

Pirates 6, Reds 3 Reds Box, Runs Rijo returns with more speed (93 mph) Reese's revenge: 4 RBI, great catch Hamstring puts Hamilton back on DL Reds Notebook: Chen solid in relief Rose defends Selig in All-Star flap Cinergy farewell tickets on sale July 27 Diamondbacks 12, Rockies 3 Padres 7, Dodgers 0 Giants 5, Cardinals 4 Angels 10, Athletics 4 Rochester 10, Louisville 5

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