Young Brave blanks Bucs

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Bryse Wilson was pitching for his high school team in Hillsborough, N.C., barely two years ago. Now, he’s 1-0 in the major leagues.

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.

“Never,” Wilson said when asked if he could envision being in the major leagues so soon. “I thought I would move up one step at a time. I never expected this.”

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.

Pittsburgh has allowed exactly one run in five straight games — including four against the NL Central-leading Cubs — but lost three of them. The organization hasn’t done that since July 13-18, 1888, when they were the Alleghenys, according to Stats.

“I think we’d all like to score runs,” Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said. “From that standpoint, guys are up there battling. I don’t see anybody lost. I don’t see anybody confused. I see guys just not getting hits.”

The Braves scored in the first inning when Freddie Freeman hit a two-out double and scored on Nick Markakis’ single.