PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks starter Ryne Nelson made another pitch that he belongs in the starting rotation with 6.2 shutout innings on Monday in a 5-0 win against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Nelson played the role of stopper, as his start was key to ending a five-game losing streak.

The Diamondbacks have five shutout wins this season.

Nelson allowed four hits with no walks, striking out four batters as he consistently pounded the strike zone for quick outs. He threw 59 strikes out of 84 pitches, setting his season high for pitch count.

Dating back to July 2024, Nelson has made 15 starts with a 2.98 ERA as a starter.

Ryne Nelson, Nasty 85mph Slider. 😨 pic.twitter.com/glFbEqBKoX

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 27, 2025

The right-hander had to deal with some early tough luck on Monday, as Pirates lead-off man Oneil Cruz hit a weak chopper that hugged the third-base line for a double on the first pitch of the game. Nelson worked out of that jam, sitting down eight of the next nine batters with only a ground ball single mixed in.

He worked through the fourth, fifth and sixth innings with only 29 combined pitches, striking out Cruz for a second time to end the fifth. He retired the final eight batters he faced.

Monday was Nelson’s second start since he took over a rotation spot with southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez hitting the 15-day injured list on May 15 (shoulder inflammation).

Nelson delivered five innings with one earned run at Dodger Stadium last week.

He opened the season in the bullpen as the odd man out in a crowded group of starting pitchers. The D-backs have kept him stretched out to a degree as a long man, allowing him to make starts when needed.

What happens to Nelson when Rodriguez returns will be cause for tough discussions, although manager Torey Lovullo said the idea of using the struggling left-hander as a reliever has not come up behind closed doors.

Rodriguez threw three innings and 55 pitches in a simulated game over the weekend and will toss a bullpen on Tuesday. He is eligible to return at the start of June, although Lovullo suggested Nelson will make his next start.

Diamondbacks out-slug Pirates

Arizona gave Nelson early run support, coming through with two runs in the second inning off Pirates lefty Andrew Heaney. Randal Grichuk singled and Gabriel Moreno doubled to start the frame, but the D-backs were already 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position in the first inning.

This time, the club executed, as Tim Tawa hit a sacrifice fly and Ketel Marte singled home Moreno.

Then the power came into play, as Eugenio Suarez hit a 433-foot solo shot in the third and Josh Naylor smacked a two-run homer in the fifth to take a 5-0 lead.

Josh Naylor crushes his 6th homer of the season! pic.twitter.com/FefZ8iFHj0

— MLB (@MLB) May 27, 2025

Moreno finished the game with three hits, while Marte and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. each collected a pair of knocks.

Contentious 8th inning

The eighth inning was perhaps stress-inducing, as the Pirates worked the bases loaded after a Suarez error and back-to-back walks from Scott McGough.

Justin Martinez entered for his second appearance since coming off the IL to face the bases loaded and no outs.

Martinez struck out Bryan Reynolds, forced a pop-out and ended the inning with a fielder’s choice to keep the shutout intact.

Justin Martinez, Filthy 89mph Splitter. 😷 pic.twitter.com/640xjfWNT9

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) May 27, 2025

Diamondbacks’ next game

The Diamondbacks (27-27) will play for a series win on Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. with Corbin Burnes on the mound. Pittsburgh (19-36) will start right-hander Mike Burrows.

Pirates ace Paul Skenes will start on Wednesday against Zac Gallen.

Both games will air on 98.7 and the Arizona Sports app.