(Source: MLB - Major League Baseball) Acquired just before Monday's non-waiver Trade Deadline and effectively replacing veteran lefty Francisco Liriano, Nova immediately rewarded the Pirates' faith in him. Plagued only by a pair of Brandon Phillips solo homers, Nova allowed three runs over seven efficient innings, striking out five batters without a walk. Phillips took Nova deep to left in the second and again in the seventh for his 13th career multi-homer game. 'Pitch-efficiency was at the top of the list,' Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. 'Really liked the way he went about it.' Pittsburgh didn't bash the ball around the ballpark against Cincinnati starter Homer Bailey, but he struggled...
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