Howard collects 2nd win, extends scoreless streak

Sam Howard, a Cartersville High graduate currently pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates, collected his second win of the 2020 season last Thursday and stretched his current streak of scoreless appearances to nine with a scoreless inning Monday.

The 27-year-old left-hander pitched the fifth inning of a seven-inning game last Thursday to earn a win over the Cincinnati Reds.

His scoreless stretch includes two appearances against the Red, one against the Cubs, five against the Brewers, and one against the Indians dating back to August 20. The streak includes 8-1/3 total innings where he has allowed four hit and five walks while fanning seven.

Howard spent the first six years of his career with the Colorado Rockies’ organization after being drafted in the third round out of Georgia Southern University. He was claimed off waivers by Pittsburgh this past offseason and was called up to the MLB Pirates in late July.

He is currently 2-1 for Pittsburgh with a 2.30 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. He has 19 strikeouts in 15 appearances that include 15-2/3 innings.

The Pirates are 13-26 this season and trail the Chicago Cubs by 9.5 games in the National League Central.