Nova has solid final start, wants to stay with Bucs

PITTSBURGH — Ivan Nova’s season came to an unlikely end Thursday night at PNC Park, with a 5 1/3-inning complete game in a 1-1 tie with the Cubs in the Bucs’ home finale.

Was it the last start Nova, a pending free agent, will make for the Pirates?

“I’m excited, not nervous. Hopefully things work out and I can come back here. I hope that’s the case. We’ll see what happens,” Nova said. “I’ve never talked to my agents about it. I think we’re going to get on that conversation later on in another week or maybe after the season ends. My only focus was trying to get a win for this team.”

The Pirates have reportedly opened extension talks with Nova’s agent, looking to keep him in their rotation next season. But his turnaround with the Pirates — he went 5-2 with a 3.06 ERA, 52 strikeouts and only three walks in 64 2/3 innings — will not go unnoticed by the rest of the league as he enters free agency.

“He’s shown up so very well. He’s been very efficient,” manager Clint Hurdle said. “He’s given a nice infusion of …

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