Cole (0-1) went six innings in a no-decision Sunday against the Braves, allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks with four strikeouts.
Cole allowed a pair of runs in the first inning on a home run, which was followed by a couple more base hits, but he settled down an cruised into the sixth before allowing a solo shot to Freddie Freeman. He threw strikes at a 68 percent clip and did well to scatter baserunners for the most part, but a lack of early offense by the Pirates lineup cost him any shot he had to pick up a win. There is still room for improvement, but this outing was markedly better than Cole's season debut, and he will look to carry it over to Friday's start against the Cubs.