CINCINNATI -- Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander Gerrit Cole had hit only two home runs in his career. So, it was understandable when his home run trot was less than polished after going deep at Great American Ball Park on Saturday.

"I almost broke my ankle on second base," Cole said. "I think (Reds second baseman) Scooter (Gennett) was laughing at me. Doesn't happen too often. It's fun."

Cole allowed five hits through seven innings and drove in the only run with his solo homer, lifting the Pirates to a 1-0 victory, his first career win over the Cincinnati Reds.

"He Little Leagued them, he shut them out and hit a homer," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "These are the best games for the game. You stay tight, you're locked in every pitch. I absolutely enjoy these types of games."

Before Saturday, Cole had never beaten Cincinnati in nine previous starts, going 0-6 with a 5.14 ERA. The Pirates hadn't won any of Cole's previous starts versus the Reds.

"It's nice to get back on track here," Cole said. "There's a certain amount of enjoyment when you pitch well in enemy territory."

Cole had no walks and six strikeouts Saturday to move to 8-0 in his past nine road starts. It was his 19th quality start this season, tied with Carlos Martinez for third in the National League.

"It was just powerful stuff," Hurdle said. "The slider was a separator."

It was the seventh shutout win for the Pirates (62-68) this season and third on the road.

Cincinnati (55-75) was shut out for the 10th time this season and lost to the Pirates for only the third time in 12 meetings this season.

Reds first baseman Joey Votto went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts to snap his season-high 29-game on-base streak.

"Votto is special," Hurdle said. "Our guys showed the ability to get him out."

Reds rookie right-hander Luis Castillo (2-7) almost was equally impressive, allowing three hits, one of which was Cole's home run, through seven innings with one walk and nine strikeouts, equaling his career high.

"That really was a sensational game, with the caveat that we didn't win," Reds manager Bryan Price said. "Cole was excellent. He was really sharp and used the ball-strike ratio to his advantage. He did a nice job. Luis was up to the challenge. He held them to one run and gave us an opportunity to win."

Felipe Rivero struck out three straight batters in the ninth for his 15th save, helping finish off the 21st 1-0 game in the 15-year history of Great American Ball Park.

Saturday's game was a pitchers' duel throughout.

Castillo retired the first seven batters he faced before walking Chris Stewart with one out in the third. Castillo retired the next two batters.

The Pirates were hitless until Josh Bell doubled with two outs in the fourth. Bell was thrown out trying to score on David Freese's single to left, giving Reds left fielder Adam Duvall his major league-leading 13th assist.

Cole (11-8) retired the first six he faced before Scott Schebler's leadoff single in the third.

Schebler and Tucker Barnhart singled with two outs in the fifth putting runners at first and third. But Cole got Castillo to ground out to second to end the inning.

The first run of Saturday's game came from an unlikely source when Cole crushed Castillo's first pitch in the sixth into the left-field seats for his first home run of the season.

It was Cole's third career homer and first since May 26, 2016 versus Arizona. And, it was all the offense Pittsburgh would need.

"Sometimes, you win. Sometimes, you lose," Castillo said. "Today, I felt really good on the mound. I made a mental mistake (to Cole). He was leading off and I threw a fastball right down the middle and he hit it out of the park."

NOTES: Reds RHP Tyler Mahle will make his major league debut Sunday afternoon. ... Reds C Chad Wallach, son of former major-leaguer Tim Wallach, will make his major league debut Sunday. ... Reds RHP Homer Bailey is scheduled to start Wednesday against the New York Mets. ... Pirates C Francisco Cervelli was placed on the 10-day disabled list with left quad irritation. He was reinstated from the DL on Friday after recovering from a wrist injury. ... Pirates C Elias Diaz was recalled from Triple-A. ... Pirates LHP Wade LeBlanc, on the DL with a left quad strain, threw two innings and 45 pitches in a simulated game Saturday.