Rookie Neil Walker's throwing error in the sixth inning allowed Paul Janish to reach first base. Janish eventually scored, lifting the Reds to a 5-3 victory.

The Reds completed their first four-game series sweep of the Pirates in Cincinnati since Aug. 14-17, 1975. The Pirates have lost seven in a row overall, and are winless in their past 11 road games.

Garrett Jones and Brandon Moss each hit a solo homer. Jones' shot was the 10,000th in the Pirates' 123-year history.

"This park definitely favors hitters," said Jones, who has gone deep 18 times this season. "The dimensions aren't huge. You have to get it pretty good, but if you get it, there's no question that it could carry out."

Before the home run derby began, the Reds manufactured a first-inning run against left-hander Zach Duke (10-13). With two outs, Joey Votto walked and moved to second on a balk. Brandon Phillips singled to center, scoring Votto.

To lead off the third, Jones' hit a towering home run into the right-field seats.

Brandon Phillips broke the tie with one out in the fourth. He ripped a shot down the right-field line into the Pirates' bullpen.

"They told me that during day games, the ball flies out from center to right pretty well," Duke said.

Moss launched Homer Bailey's first pitch of the fifth inning over the right-field wall.

With two outs in the sixth, Lastings Milledge doubled. Ryan Doumit doubled off the left-field wall -- giving chase, Darnell McDonald also caromed face-first off the wall -- to score Milledge.

But Duke could not hold the 3-2 lead.

Drew Stubbs' game-tying homer kicked-started the bottom of the sixth. When Janish followed with a sharp grounder to third, Walker backhanded the ball but his throw pulled Jones off the first-base bag.

"Tough play," Jones said. "The ball was spinning and short-hopped Neil. The ball started sailing a little bit. I thought when I caught it, my foot was on the base, but (umpire Larry Vanover) said no."

It was the first ball Walker fielded in what was his first start in the majors.

"I can't blame (Walker)," Duke said. "He made a great effort."

Votto's double bounced over the fence in center. Phillips grounded out, scoring Janish. With two outs, McDonald reached on an infield single, scoring Votto.

Duke pitched six innings and allowed five runs (three earned) and nine hits. He walked one and struck out four. He has lost eight of his past 12 starts.

Bailey (5-4) worked 61/3 innings and allowed three runs and seven hits. He struck out a career-high eight.

The Pirates whiffed 13 times in the game, and piled up 31 strikeouts in the series.

Notes: Minor-league reliever John Meloan, who was designated for assignment Monday, was claimed off waivers by Oakland. ... Walker was surprised to make his first major-league start yesterday. "I didn't know beforehand, so at least I was able to get a little bit of sleep last night," said Walker, who went 0 for 4. ...Duke had his fifth career two-hit game, lining singles in the third and fifth innings.

How they scored

??? Reds first inning (Zach Duke pitching) -- With two outs, Joey Votto walked and moved to second on Duke's balk. Brandon Phillips singled to center, Votto scored. Reds 1, Pirates 0

??? Pirates second (Homer Bailey pitching) -- Garrett Jones hit a solo home run (No. 18) to right on a 1-0 pitch. Pirates 1, Reds 1

??? Reds fourth -- Phillips hit a solo homer (No. 19) to right on the first pitch. Reds 2, Pirates 1

??? Pirates fifth -- Brandon Moss hit a solo homer (No. 7) to right on the first pitch. Pirates 2, Reds 2

??? Pirates sixth -- With two outs, Lastings Milledge doubled to right. Ryan Doumit doubled to left, Milledge scored. Pirates 3, Reds 2

??? Reds sixth -- Drew Stubbs hit a solo homer (No. 4) to center on a 2-0 pitch. Paul Janish reached first base on a throwing error by third baseman Neil Walker. Votto hit a ground-rule double to center, Janish to third. Phillips grounded out to second base, Janish scored, Votto to third. With two outs, Darren McDonald singled to shortstop, Votto scored. Reds 5, Pirates 3