Nova impresses in debut win against Reds

PITTSBURGH — If Ivan Nova was uncomfortable making his first start in a Pirates uniform, in a new league and in a new home ballpark, it only showed on the bases.

Making his Pittsburgh debut, Nova delivered exactly the kind of start the Pirates were hoping for when they acquired him prior to Monday’s non-waiver Trade Deadline. The right-hander pounded the strike zone over seven efficient innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out five without a walk, as the Pirates took down the Reds, 5-3.

“They’re an aggressive team,” Nova said. “If you make quality strikes, that’s going to allow you to work the way I worked today.”

He threw only 76 pitches, averaging fewer than 11 per inning. He struck out the side in the fifth, needing only 10 pitches to do so. Eleven of his 21 outs came on ground balls.

Nova even picked up a base hit, the second in a seven-year career spent in the American League. Nova singled and scored to begin the Pirates’ fourth-inning rally. But about that baserunning …

After Nova singled to center, Josh Harrison swatted a line drive off the right-field …

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