PITTSBURGH - Aaron Nola's status in the starting rotation came back into question Saturday as the pitcher's struggles continued in a 7-4 loss to the Pirates at PNC Park.
Nola was tagged for six earned runs in less than five innings. He was removed after allowing a two-run single with no outs in the fifth. Nola has a 10.61 ERA in seven starts since June 11. The righthander allowed four or more earned runs and did not pitched past the fifth inning in six of his last seven starts.
His problems seemed to subside after he threw six shutout innings Monday, but they returned to the forefront Saturday.