Trevo, Cervy & JJ Tame the Tigers 3-0

Trevor spun a clean opening frame; Jordan Zimmermann was touched for a Cutch knock and steal, but got J-Bell to pop out. The Tigers were set down again in the second. The Bucs got Gregory aboard on a bopped batter rap, then with two outs and the pitcher on deck, Cervy worked eight pitches and a full count, sending the last delivery into right center for a run-scoring two-bagger. In the third, Detroit got a single and steal; the Bucs got a knock, steal and walk, but both clubs came up empty. Motown went down 1-2-3 thanks to a walk and CS (an ill-advised delayed try for a swipe on ball in the dirt) in the fourth; the Pirates didn't put a runner on. No noise in the fifth; Detroit went down in order, thwarted by a diving grab by Cutch, and a Bucco walk was erased on a DP. The sixth inning saw six, up, six down.

Trevo was tremendous tonight (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

The El Tigres got a leadoff walk that went nowhere in the seventh; Gregory led off with a knock and was quickly erased on another DP. That was followed by a free pass, and that hurt the Cats when pinch-hitter John Jaso, in the midst of an ice age at the dish, bopped one over the RF wall to give the Bucs some breathing room. Interestingly, Fraze was originally on deck but for whatever reason, Clint decided to pull a switcheroo. George Kontos made his Bucco debut in the eighth and it was a good one as he tossed a clean frame. Alex Wilson took the ball and did the same. The closing-challenged Juan Nicasio (he was 2-of-9 in save opps lifetime) took Felipe's place in the ninth as Rivero is on a break day. He looked like Goose Goosage tonight, whiffing a pair around a come-backer and the Bucs are 2-0 in the second S-Rod era.

Trevo has been on the bubble on working deep and well, and tonight the bullpen backed him up after seven one-hit innings. JJ was an unlikely hero, too, and Amore in the eight hole caused the Tigers problems that contributed to the Bucco tallies. So it's four-of-five; if the Pirates could get off the yo-yo ride and take some series, the dog days may yet mean something.

Cervy was the straw that stirred the drink (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Notes:

• Cervy was the only player on either team to reach base twice tonight with his RBI double and a walk that became a run.
• In 17 starts, this was the first scoreless outing by Trevo this year, although he's allowed more than three runs just three times. 107 pitches was his career high and seven innings the longest he's gone (three times).
• The Pirates drew 21,651 tonight as their weekday attendance woes continue.