Nelson (8-15) gave up four runs on six hits over five innings in Wednesday's loss to the Pirates. He struck out five and walked two.
He had a rough start to the game, giving up an Andrew McCutchen solo homer and then a rally capped by a two-run single, but did at least manage to settle down and allow only one run (another solo homer) over the next four frames. It's hard for Nelson owners to find positives in this season -- in nearly the same number of innings as last year, he's walked more hitters, struck out fewer, and allowed more hits and homers. Once upon a time, he was one of the game's most highly regarded pitching prospects, but at 27, Nelson still hasn't put it all together.