PITTSBURGH -- For the first time this season, Pirates right-hander Ivan Nova didn't pitch into the sixth, but it ultimately didn't matter. The Bucs' lineup scored four runs in the first and their bullpen tossed four scoreless innings in Pittsburgh's 6-2 win over the Rays on Wednesday night at PNC Park.
Nova had completed at least six innings in all 15 starts, but he labored from the beginning on Wednesday, needing 89 pitches to get through five frames. He gave up a run in the first and loaded the bases twice in the third. But Nova did his best to limit the damage, keeping the Rays to two runs on seven hits.