Pirates' Domingo German: Lit up in long relief

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German surrendered eight earned runs on six hits and four walks while striking out three across 2.2 innings of relief in Monday's 18-8 loss to the Cubs.

After tossing six shutout innings in his first start with the Pirates last Wednesday against the Rangers, German headed back to the bullpen as Pittsburgh kicked off its three-game series with the Cubs. The Pirates likely weren't planning on German working extensively Tuesday, but he was needed in long relief after started Mitch Keller was lifted after tossing four innings and 97 pitches. After entering the game with the Pirates facing a 3-2 deficit, German turned in a 1-2-3 fifth inning, but he completed unraveled in the sixth, with the Cubs batting around the order and capping an eight-run frame with a two-out Dansby Swanson grand slam. German returned for the seventh inning and gave up two base hits and recorded two outs before giving way to Brady Feigl. Though he worked out of the bullpen Tuesday, German could get another look in a starting role in September if the Pirates decide to expand their rotation to six men to create additional days of rest between starts for rookie hurlers Paul Skenes and Jared Jones (lat).