Nicasio (2-1) survived a poor fourth inning to pick up the win Sunday, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks over six innings while striking out six as the Pirates downed the Brewers 9-3.

EDGE Analysis

He began the game with three perfect innings, but his concentration wavered after the Pirates staked him to a 6-0 lead in the bottom of the third, and Milwaukee struck back for three runs in the fourth. Nicasio shook it off and closed out his day with two more scoreless frames before hitting the showers after 95 pitches (59 strikes). He now has a strong 17:7 K:BB through 15 innings and three starts to begin his Pittsburgh tenure, but his 4.80 ERA is a sign that pitching coach Ray Searage's magic hasn't quite taken hols with Nicasio just yet. He'll have a tough matchup in his next start Saturday, on the road against Arizona.