WASHINGTON — Pirates rookie Nick Kingham’s nearly perfect debut has earned him at least one more start in the majors. Kingham took a perfect game into the seventh inning of his first big league start, retiring the first 20 batters in Pittsburgh’s 5-0 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday. The Pirates weren’t necessarily planning to keep Kingham in the majors after his spot start. The Pirates have three scheduled days off from May 7-14, which could complicate plans to keep Kingham in the majors beyond his next appearance. The Elias Sports Bureau said no pitcher in the Expansion Era — since 1961 — had taken a perfect game bid so far in his debut“It was awesome,” Kingham said.

Source: National Post April 30, 2018 22:07 UTC