Pirates on the hook
MIAMI — Apparently, all Ricky Nolasco needed to return to his winning ways was a trip to the minors.
Nolasco struck out 12 in eight innings to win his fourth consecutive start, and the Florida Marlins beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-0 Sunday.
Nolasco (6-6) allowed three hits and missed his career high for strikeouts by one, set Aug. 2 against Colorado. It was Nolasco's first win in his last four starts against Pittsburgh dating to last season. The Marlins won their fourth consecutive series at home.
"We came out and put up some early runs on the board. That made my job a lot easier," Nolasco said. "I feel like I'm getting stronger and from here just keep going and don't have any setbacks."
Leo Nunez worked a scoreless ninth to finish the Marlins' second shutout of the season.
Since being recalled from Triple-A New Orleans June 7, Nolasco has won four of his past six starts. He also pitched eight innings for the second time in two starts and has pitched six or more innings in five of his last six starts.
His 12 strikeouts were the most by any Marlins pitcher this season.
"My slider today was really sharp and most of them were swinging over the top of it," Nolasco said.
Nolasco allowed the first two batters of the game to reach base, but got out of the inning unscathed.
"Just trying to warm up was tough with the heat down there and it carried over into the first," Nolasco said. "I had to get my legs underneath me and then I felt a lot better. The first inning was definitely the toughest first inning of my life."
Ross Ohlendorf (7-7) gave up five runs on nine hits over five innings and lost his third consecutive road start. The Pirates have lost six of eight.
"I just didn't locate my pitches well," Ohlendorf said. "I think my consistency is the main thing I have to work on. I've had some success my last few starts and I just have to go back to doing the things that are working."
The Marlins took a 2-0 lead in the second. Jeremy Hermida led off with a triple. Cody Ross then was hit by a pitch. John Baker followed with a grounder to first baseman Adam LaRoche, who threw wide to the plate, allowing Hermida to score. Ross advanced to third on a single by Wes Helms, then scored when Nolasco grounded into a double play.
Florida stretched its lead to 3-0 in the third. Jorge Cantu lined a two-out double down the line. He scored on Hermida's single to center.
After Baker and Helms led off the fourth with consecutive singles, Chris Coghlan and Dan Uggla each hit RBI singles to give the Marlins a 5-0 lead.
Pirates manager John Russell also noticed the improvement in Nolasco, who the Pirates beat during the series sweep in April.
"He had us reaching a lot. He did a real good job and was very efficient out there," Russell said.
