The victory Tuesday brought Nelson’s record back to .500 (9-9) and dropped his ERA to 3.57. Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
MILWAUKEE — It’s been a few weeks now since Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Jimmy Nelson was tagged for 11 hits over five innings in a 3-2 loss at Kansas City.
Ever since then, though, Nelson has been as close to dominant as a young pitcher can get.
He came into his start Tuesday at Miller Park riding high; 5-1 with a 2.15 ERA in his seven previous starts, holding batters to a .204 average during that stretch.
He hadn’t allowed a run in 14 innings when he stepped to the mound and kept all of those streaks going by allowing just an unearned run on three hits in 6 2/3 innings as the Brewers snapped a six-game losing streak with a 4-1 victory.
“I think we have to get past saying it is just a mini run,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. “He’s having a good season. He just continues to take the next step when he goes out there. He’s making pitches. He fell behind in the count at times tonight but was able to get right back into counts. He’s been able to use all three pitches effectively. It is three good pitches.”
Counsell was most impressed by Nelson’s ability to go back out for the seventh inning for a fifth consecutive start. He retired the first two batters that inning before walking catcher Derek Norris, which brought his day to an end.
“I liked how when we sent him out for the seventh inning he got the first two guys out,” Counsell said. “We’ve had a couple of experiences now going out for the seventh. You like to be able to feel like you can send him out there for that next inning when his pitches are a little up there. The unearned run — errors are going to happen. You have to come back and still make pitches. I like the seventh inning when he went out and got those two guys. I thought that was big.”
The victory Tuesday brought Nelson’s record back to .500 (9-9) and dropped his ERA to 3.57.
“It’s really nice to throw a run together,” Nelson said. “It’s good for your mentality, too, not having all the ups and downs like a rollercoaster ride. It’s to just kind of stay on an even plane, and consistency gives everybody confidence.”
Along with right-handers Wily Peralta and Taylor Jungmann, Nelson is one of three home-grown pitchers currently in the Brewers rotation.
