Musgrove gives pitching staff lift with strong performance

The Pirates required several things to go in their favor Wednesday to snap a three-game losing skid and stay afloat in the National League Central.

Joe Musgrove needed to be more like the pitcher he was in April when he posted a 1.54 ERA in five starts. With a starting rotation missing Trevor Williams and Jameson Taillon, Musgrove had to be better than the 8.10 ERA he posted in May.

Musgrove retired the first three Atlanta Braves hitters he faced in order.

Ronald Acuna flew out to right field, Musgrove struck

out Dansby Swanson, and Freddie Freeman flew out to left.

That was the first 1-2-3 start for a Pirates pitcher since Chris Archer did so in their previous win Friday night against the Milwaukee Brewers. The Pirates only have had 1-2-3 first innings in four of their past 26 games. Each of the four games has been a victory, including the Pirates 7-4 win against the Braves Wednesday night at PNC Park.

Josh Donaldson led off the second inning with a double and Austin Riley drove him in with a one-out single. Bryan Reynolds made two nice catches on fly balls by Brian McCann and Ozzie Albies to end the inning. It was good for the Pirates to see Reynolds make those plays after a costly error the night before.

Swanson hit a two-out double off Musgrove in the third, but Freeman popped out to end the inning.

The right-hander retired the next 15 hitters before he walked Albies in the eighth inning. Pinch-hitter and former Pirate Matt Joyce grounded into a double play to finish the eighth.

Elias Diaz hit a two-run home run to drive in Gregory Polanco to give the Pirates a 2-0 lead in the second. Musgrove also helped out at the plate, getting two hits and scored a run in the Pirates’ five-run second. Colin Moran also homered.

It was a rare comfortable win on a night the Pirates needed it.

Williams on upswing

Trevor Williams threw a successful bullpen session before the game Wednesday against the Atlanta Braves, according to director of sports medicine Todd Tomcyzk. If Williams doesn’t feel any issues, he will throw a simulated game in Milwaukee this weekend while the team is there to play the Brewers.

Williams has not pitched since he left a game May 13 against the San Diego Padres after 3⅔ innings with a left-side strain. He struck out Wil Meyers and noticed the pain. Initially, it appeared Williams was going to be able to finish the inning, but he realized he couldn’t and has been out of the lineup since.

Williams has a 2-1 record, 3.33 ERA and 1.130 WHIP after nine starts.

If Williams does well with his simulated game, he could do a rehab start with Class AAA Indianapolis. If the rehab start goes well, he might be back with the Pirates for the next homestand that starts June 18 against the Detroit Tigers.

Injured starter Jameson Taillon will head to the spring training facility in Bradenton, Fla., to continue his rehab. It will be at least two weeks before he can throw again. He had been doing his work with the major league club since he went out with the elbow strain May 4.

The loss of Taillon and Williams have tested the depth of the Pirates’ pitching staff, and it has been a test they have not passed, posting a 7.38 ERA over the past 14 games.

“The performance levels haven’t been up to par,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “There’s been a lot of movement, there’s no way around it when you’ve had as many injuries as we’ve had. The goals are to keep the performance levels up as different guys get opportunities.”

“The performance levels have been a challenge. We’ve tried different personnel and we haven’t gotten the job done. We have pretty much used all of the options on the 40-man [roster].”

Steven Brault will remain in the rotation, but Hurdle said Brault needs to throw more strikes.

Brault will start Sunday against Milwaukee, and Rookie Davis will open the series Friday night against the Brewers. Jordan Lyles will take his regular turn Saturday.

Nick Kingham will return to the bullpen for now.

Rehab updates

Corey Dickerson and Jung Ho Kang are both working through rehab stints at Indianapolis. Both are pain-free and could be back soon, but Tomcyzk wouldn’t put a date on either’s return. Dickerson hasn’t played since April, so this is a modified spring training for him. Kang is working on his timing.

Dickerson’s return would force the Pirates to make some decisions in a crowded outfield. Bryan Reynolds has shown that he can play in the majors. Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco are stalwarts. Melky Cabrera also has been consistent. So how the Pirates find playing time for all five outfielders will be worth watching.

No rush

The Pirates won’t rush catcher Francisco Cervelli back from his latest stint on the injured list with a concussion. Furthermore, he still is showing concussion symptoms. He is around the team but doesn’t stay in the clubhouse for games. Backup catcher Elias Diaz, however, has hit .387 (24 for 62) in his past 14 games.