The Pirates are 4-0 in Nova’s last four starts, 5-2 in their last seven games following a win and 4-1 in their last five against a righty while the Brewers are 3-7 in their last 10 Sunday games, 2-5 in their last seven home games against a righty, and 3-8 in their last 11 after allowing five runs or more in their previous outing.
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But the Pirates, who had scored a run in the first on a double by Marte off Brewers starter Jimmy Nelson that drove home Josh Harrison, were able to take advantage of Nelson’s sudden loss of command in the fourth, retake the lead, and send Nelson to the showers. John Jaso tied the game with a solo home run, making it 1-1.
The Pittsburgh Pirates seem to have finally solved Miller Park and now set their sights on a four-game sweep against the host Milwaukee Brewers when the teams finish the set Sunday afternoon. I had two walks in that inning.
The Pittsburgh Pirates continued their push for an Major League Baseball playoff spot, while the Washington Nationals were beaten.
“I was trying not to think about it”, Nova said of the injury.
Pittsburgh drew first blood when Josh Harrison led off the game with a single and come around to score on a two out double from Starling Marte.
Nova’s premature exit – 75 pitches through six innings – was due to discomfort in his hamstring, though he plans to not miss his next start.
He worked his way out of a bases loaded jam with one out in the fourth, but grooved a pair of pitches in the sixth and was pulled after Polanco’s shot put Pittsburgh ahead for good. A one out pinch single from Jonathan Villar and a two out walk by Gennett put the tying run at the plate in Ryan Braun.
Pirates: GM Neal Huntington said after the game that a second opinion would be sought on the ailing right elbow of pitcher Gerrit Cole. Blackmon’s two-run home run in the top of the 11th inning paved the way for the Rockies’ victory.
Brewers: Brewers RHP Junior Guerra (right elbow) is expected to return to the rotation at some point after Thursday’s day off. The former NL MVP is hitting.356 with nine RBIs in his last 12 games, but he is only 2-for-10 with four strikeouts against Chase Anderson, who gets the nod in the series finale for Milwaukee.
The Pirates will make the short trip to Wrigley Field with Steven Brault (0-1, 3.60 ERA) facing Jake Arrieta (16-5, 2.62 ERA).
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Pirates: Ivan Nova (3-0, 3.20 ERA) has wins in three of his first four starts with after being acquired from the New York Yankees on August 1. The left-hander will make his third career start. He is 1-1 with a 4.63 ERA in five career starts against the Pirates, including 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA in two starts this season.
