Chicago 6 - Pittsburgh 4: Scouting Brad Lincoln's home debut

By John Perrotto

Brad Lincoln is known for his competitiveness as much as his fastball and curveball. However, that competitiveness seems to be working against the Pirates rookie right-hander in the early stages of his major-league career.

Lincoln suffered his first loss on Tuesday night in his second start as he gave up five runs and six hits in six innings in the White Sox's 6-4 victory over the Pirates at PNC Park. That came after Lincoln allowed five runs and six innings in a no-decision at Washington last Wednesday in his debut.

Lincoln also walked three and struck out just two on Tuesday night.

"I'm letting the game speed up on me," Lincoln said. "It feels like everything is going 100 mph when I'm on the mound. I'll get into trouble and then I'll try to make the perfect but when you do that it only makes things worse. I know I'll get better. I just need to calm down and slow things down, and I will. It's a learning experience."

Lincoln threw 98 pitches, 61 for strikes. His fastball topped out at 94 mph and averaged 91. However, his curveball was a much more effective pitch as the White Sox went 1-for-7 (.143) against it while going 5-for-15 (.333) against the fastball.

Lincoln was far from dominating with his offerings as the White Sox swung at missed at just four pitches, only one by a left-handed hitter. He also got hitters to chase just eight of his 46 pitches that were outside the strike zone.