Pirates Ivan Nova picks up fourth win on just 90 pitches
Associated Press
Pirates starting pitcher Ivan Nova delivers in the first inning against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday in Pittsburgh.
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Jhan Marinez delivers during a baseball game against the Pirates on May 6 in Pittsburgh.
PITTSBURGH 鈥� Ivan Nova鈥檚 hot start to his 2017 season was almost impossibly good. In five starts in the month of April, he maintained a 1.50 ERA, held opposing batters to a .198 average and struck out 22 while walking just one.
In May, it seemed as if his numbers might come down to Earth. He gave up nine runs in his first three starts and his ERA went from 1.50 to 2.48. After averaging 7.2 innings per start in April, he was down to just a hair over six in May.
That turned around Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies, as Nova was back to his hyper-efficient self in a 6-3 victory at PNC Park.
Nova took just 90 pitches to get through 7 2/3 innings. He gave up three runs and struck out three while walking none.
NEW FACE
The Pirates introduced a new member of their bullpen on Saturday, adding right-handed pitcher Jhan Mari帽ez to the roster after having claimed him off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday.
Mari帽ez, 28, a native of the Dominican Republic, is in his fourth major league season and fifth team. He throws a mid-90s two-seam fastball and has a career 3.63 ERA.
Ironically, Mari帽ez brings a lot of the same attributes that former Pirates reliever Jared Hughes had and the ability to sink the ball and induce groundouts.
鈥淗e can sink the ball and pitch multiple innings,鈥� Hurdle said. 鈥淚f things were rolling for him right now, we wouldn鈥檛 have been able to get him, but we like some of the indicators and feel like he can get back to have success again. We鈥檒l give it a play, give a roll.鈥�
The Brewers claimed Hughes when the Pirates waived him at the end of spring training. So far in 2017, Hughes has outperformed Mari帽ez, with a 2.02 ERA compared to a 5.40 mark.
Mari帽ez, 28, a native of the Dominican Republic, is in his fourth major league season and fifth team. He throws a mid-90s two-seam fastball and has a career 3.63 ERA.
Ironically, Mari帽ez brings a lot of the same attributes that former Pirates reliever Jared Hughes had and the ability to sink the ball and induce groundouts.
鈥淗e can sink the ball and pitch multiple innings,鈥� Hurdle said. 鈥淚f things were rolling for him right now, we wouldn鈥檛 have been able to get him, but we like some of the indicators and feel like he can get back to have success again. We鈥檒l give it a play, give a roll.鈥�
The Brewers claimed Hughes when the Pirates waived him at the end of spring training. So far in 2017, Hughes has outperformed Mari帽ez, with a 2.02 ERA compared to a 5.40 mark.
To make room for Mari帽ez on the roster, the Pirates placed Josh Lindblom on the 10-day disabled list, meaning they were able to acquire an additional arm to their bullpen depth. Lindblom threw 33 pitches in a 7-2 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday.
The Pirates and Phillies will play the second game of their three-game series at PNC Park at 4 p.m. Saurday. Ivan Nova (3-3, 2.48 ERA) will face Vince Velasquez (2-3, 5.63).