Perhaps the biggest question for the Marlins so far: What's up with Ricky Nolasco? The answer: Maybe nothing at all.
After leaving camp as the No. 1 starter, he's 1-2 with a 6.86 ERA. He gave up five earned runs in six innings Wednesday in Florida's 7-4 loss at Pittsburgh. "You've seen better from Ricky. We just got to get him going," manager Fredi Gonzalez said.
Nolasco is healthy, and the Marlins should be encouraged by his history. Just last year, Nolasco got off to a rough start, too, winning his first start in April before losing his next two and getting a no-decision in his fourth start. He had a 6.55 ERA in that stretch.
Nolasco went on to finish the year with 15 wins.
"A slow start is a slow start. I'm still not going to accept that," he said. "I've just got to man up and take a step forward and turn up my game a bit."
PIRATES 7, MARLINS 4: At least the Marlins came back Wednesday. Trailing all day, they tied the game 4-4 in the top of the sixth, but RHP Ricky Nolasco gave up two more in the bottom of the inning. The Marlins never got back in the game. They got swept for the first time this year and for the fourth time in Pittsburgh since 1994.
