Luis Ortiz allowed two runs in six innings and got a no-decision in the Pirates’ 3-2 victory over the Cardinals on Thursday.
Ortiz gave up five hits, walked two and struck out seven. He moved into the rotation on June 26th and had a 0.73 ERA in his first four starts. In his next five starts, his ERA was 6.26. Now, in his last five starts, he has a 2.93 ERA. Ortiz has been up and down this year, but there have been more positives than negatives. He’s 6-6 with a 3.43 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 102 strikeouts in 128 2/3 innings this year. The 25-year-old right-hander is set to face the Brewers at home next week.