Gerrit Cole won his fourth start of the season throwing seven innings in a 3-0 Pirates victory against the Atlanta Braves.
Cole [9-2] now is tied with Felix Hernandez for the most wins and ERA [1.73]. His 116 pitches represent a career high. He also is the first Pirates pitcher since Emil Yde in 1924-25 to win 30 games in his first 53 starts. Since September 7, 2014, Cole has 12 wins, which represents the most in the major leagues during that time period.
Pirates starters have now recorded each of the last 16 team wins. The Pirates are now 31-25 on the season and have won 13 of their last 16 games.
A three-run fifth inning for the Pirates resulted in all of the runs in this contest. With one out Cole walked and both Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer singled to load the bases. Andrew McCutchen could not bring any runs home as he struck out. Starling Marte and Jung Ho Kang hit back to back singles which scored the runs.
Braves Starter Alex Wood [4-3] was ejected following the inning for arguing balls and strikes to home plate umpire Mark Carlson as he was returning to the dugout.
In the eighth, Arquimedes Caminero replaced Cole and tossed a shut-out inning. Mark Melancon did the same in the ninth inning earning his 18th save of the season. It is his ninth straight outing with a save. He has now tied Matt Capps for sixth on the team’s all-time save list with 67 and his 18 saves are tied for the National League lead.
The Pirates are now 5-1 in June and are 10-3 in games against the NL East.
A return trip to PNC Park awaits the Pirates as they face the Milwaukee Brewers on Monday. Jimmy Nelson [2-6 4.41 ERA] will face A.J. Burnett [6-1 2.20]. Burnett is 2-6 with a 4.56 ERA in 11 career starts against the Brewers.
