20-year-old Wilson pitches Braves past Pirates 1-0 in debut
PITTSBURGH — Bryse Wilson worked five solid innings, becoming the third 20-year-old pitcher to start in his big league debut for Atlanta this season in the Braves’ 1-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday night.
Wilson allowed three hits, struck out five and walked three as Atlanta increased its NL East lead to one game over idle Philadelphia while ending its four-game skid. The Braves purchased the right-hander’s contract from Triple-A Gwinnett prior to the game so they could give their regular starters a rest.
Mike Soroka was 20 when he started May 1 against the Mets at New York and Koby Allard did it on July 31 against Miami.
The last team to use three starters before they reached their 21st birthday in a season was the 1965 Kansas City Athletics with Hall of Famer Catfish Hunter, Don Buschhorn and Ron Tompkins.
Five relievers finished the seven-hitter. Dan Winkler pitched the ninth, working around a leado single for his second save.
Pittsburgh has allowed exactly one run in five straight games, but has lost three of them. The organization hasn’t done that since July 13-18, 1888, when they were the Alleghenys, according to Stats.
The Braves scored in the first inning when Freddie Freeman hit a two-out double and scored on Nick Markakis’ single.
Center fielder Ender Inciarte preserved the lead in the seventh he when he threw out Adeiny Hechavarria trying to score from second base on Corey Dickerson’s single to end the inning. The call was upheld after a video review.
Pirates starter Chris Archer (4-6) was removed after four innings because of left leg discomfort. Archer appeared to be injured while batting in the third inning. He fell as he attempted to check his swing while striking out.
Manager Clint Hurdle and a trainer visited the mound after Archer warmed up before the fourth, but he remained in the game for one more inning.