Pittsburgh — Pitcher Jeff Karstens' only goal when he joined the Pirates' starting rotation this spring was to make it hard for manager Clint Hurdle to take him out.
Consider it done.
The 28-year-old right-hander is 8-5 with a 2.28 ERA, second best in the National League. Karstens began the year in the bullpen before being thrust into a starter's role due to injury and has become one of the most efficient pitchers in the league. He's worked into the seventh inning of each of his last nine starts, not bad for a pitcher long criticized for wearing down after five innings of work.
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Karstens says he's learned to trust his defense and let them make plays instead of trying to strike everyone out.