3 Takeaways From Pittsburgh Pirates Series Victory Over The Brewers

PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 07: Felipe Vazquez #73 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with Jacob Stallings #58 after the final out in a 6-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on July 7, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 07: Felipe Vazquez #73 of the Pittsburgh Pirates celebrates with Jacob Stallings #58 after the final out in a 6-5 win over the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on July 7, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 06: Dario Agrazal #67 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the first inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on July 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JULY 06: Dario Agrazal #67 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the first inning during the game against the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park on July 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

When called upon, Dario Agrazal has been awesome

Entering the season the Pittsburgh Pirates were expected to have one of the best starting rotations in the National League. Thus far, thanks in large part due to injury, that has not happened. On top of injury, Chris Archer is having the worst season of his career to add to the struggles.

However, one start that has not struggled is Dario Agrazal. When the season started Agrazal was at Double-A Altoona and found himself 10th or 11th on the Pirates starting pitching depth chart. A variety of issues have led to him making three starts for the Pirates thus far this season, and he has answered the bell.

On Saturday, Agrazal made a spot start after Trevor Williams was placed on the paternity list. In 6 innings of work against the Brewers he allowed just a pair of solo home runs in a 12-2 Pirate victory.

Agrazal has now made three starts for the Pirates this season. In these three starts he owns a 2.81 ERA in 16 innings of work. He has walked just five batters, and the Pirates have won two of his three starts. The one start that the team lost came as a result of Clint Hurdle foolishly pulling him after just 4 innings of work and handing the ball to Geoff Hartlieb who proceeded to give up the go ahead run in a 3-3 game.

When called upon this season Agrazal has risen to the occasion for the Pirates. This has earned him a stay in the Pirate rotation, at least for now, with Steven Brault on the injured list.