PIRATES

When Wilber Dotel entered in the sixth inning of a tie game this afternoon, he was entrusted with keeping things tight after Carmen Mlodzinski provided five innings of one-run ball. Dotel understood the assignment and thrived with the ball in his hands, holding the Cubs scoreless over three innings of relief and earning his first major-league victory in the Pirates' 2-1 win at PNC Park. 

"He’s fearless," Henry Davis said. "He throws really, really hard and attacks the zone. I think that’s a recipe for success long-term.”

Making just his fifth big-league appearance and second since being recalled from Class AAA Indianapolis on Wednesday, Dotel allowed just one hit and struck out four. He retired the last seven batters he faced, including the final two on swinging strikeouts of Alex Bregman and Michael Conforto. 

Despite having lost nine straight games, the Cubs boast a lineup that ranks sixth in Major League Baseball in runs scored (254) and 10th in home runs (61). They've proven time and time again that they can generate offense at any given time. Still, Dotel approached his role today with a mentality set on commanding the zone and attacking hitters. 

"I'm doing the same thing, showing that I'm fearless," Dotel said via interpreter and major-league coach Stephen Morales. "If you have the control on the mound when you're pitching, there's no reason to be scared on the mound or have fear."

Mlodzinski lauded Dotel's efforts, saying that he competed with the type of composure one might pitch with in a 10-0 game rather than a 1-1 game. That seems to be the type of reliever any starting pitcher would want to have follow them, especially in a situation where there's less room for error. 

"It's super-important in a game that is close," Mlodzinski said. "For somebody who is a rookie to be able to do that, it says a lot about the player he is probably going to grow into. I think he’s realized he has really good stuff. When he throws strikes and he leverages counts, he’s going to have success like anybody who has really good stuff in the big leagues will.”

Dotel admits that he's feeling comfortable in a relief role that he's seemingly embraced at both the Class AAA and major-league level. He knows that his job is to eat innings and be ready to go as long as the Pirates need him to. And with each and every opportunity, Dotel's confidence just continues to grow. 

"It's strong right now," he said. "It all comes from my hard work and then trusting my abilities."