Pirates’ Quality Starts Streak Ends, But Extend One That Matters More (+)

Well, the streak is over. No, I’m not talking about the Pittsburgh Pirates winning streak. They extended that to six games with a 2-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on Saturday — their longest in five years.

I’m talking about the 11 quality starts in a row Pirates’ starting pitchers had complied since Apr. 11. That streak came to a close against the Reds on Saturday after Rich Hill wasn’t able to go six innings.

Still, Hill and the Pirates will surely be alright with that.

Despite not qualifying for a quality start, Hill held the Reds to just a single run across five innings for Pittsburgh. He also tied a season high with seven strikeouts.