PITTSBURGH — Chad Kuhl went more than two months between victories earlier this season as his ERA soared and his confidence threatened to plummet.
Pittsburgh Pirates pitching coach Ray Searage never panicked. He kept reminding Kuhl that if the 24-year-old learned how to better navigate the anxious moments, better results would follow.
The learning curve may be starting to level off. Kuhl allowed just four singles in seven innings as the Pirates rolled by the Cincinnati Reds 6-0 on Thursday. Kuhl (4-7) walked two, struck out six and didn't allow a runner past second base. He worked seven innings for the second time in 36 career starts, throwing only 96 pitches.