Bubba Chandler's first career big-league start was shorter than his first career appearance as a reliever, as he lasted just 2 2/3 innings after spotting the Brewers with nine runs on nine hits and three walks to go along with his three strikeouts this afternoon. 

“I don’t think I did a good job of sequencing or really landing stuff early," said Chandler. "When I started to do it, I just kind of felt like I got in a rhythm and was kind of just throwing. Maybe not trying to compete as hard as I can, but maybe I could’ve done something differently with the outcome. Got to get better.”

Chandler can throw 100 mph, but it won't help him as a major-league starter without making his other pitches. On this day, the slider was a problem for him, as he threw just three of 13 sliders for strikes. 

"He’s got an elite fastball. Stick with it. Command the heater, continue to work on your off-speed stuff," Don Kelly said. "We know that he’s going to continue to compete.”

"All you can do is flush it," Chandler said. "I’m going to go back and watch the game, watch more of my body and what I was doing, what actually happened. I’m going to learn from it. I’m going to get better. I put our team in a horrible situation today from the get-go and it sucks.”

Still, while Chandler has found early success in a bulk relief role, Kelly continues to acknowledge the fact that the Pirates see him as a starter pitcher in the long run. 

"Bubba’s a starter," said Kelly. "He’s a starting pitcher. How that transpires, we’re going to sit down and talk. I’m not saying he wouldn’t be in a bulk role again but he’ll get starts, too. I don’t know what the next one will be but we’ll talk about it and reassess.”