PITTSBURGH — On Wednesday against the Tampa Bay Rays, Ivan Nova, the Pirates most consistent and only veteran starter, faltered. The rookies picked him up.
Nova allowed two runs on seven hits while scuffling through an uncharacteristically short five innings of work. He snapped a 15-start streak of starts with six or more innings pitched, and even the outs, usually quick and efficient grounders, were instead hard-hit balls.
But after Nova gave up a run on two hits in the top of the first, the Pirates offense let loose with a four-run barrage that gave the team the lead for good in what became a 6-2, series-equaling victory.