LHP Tony Watson (2-3) got the win with an inning of work despite giving up the tying run in the ninth. It could have been worse. After he walked Eugenio Suarez to start the inning, Tucker Barthart lofted a bunt attempt toward the first-base line. Watson dove to try to catch it on the fly. The ball went off of his glove, but C Francisco Servelli pounced on the ball, throwing out Barnhart keeping Suarez from advancing past second. "We knew he was probably bunting," Watson said. "I was just trying to get an out any way I could. I wasn't sure what Suarez was doing at first. Maybe I had a double-play chance if I catch it. I laid out, hit off the glove. I saw it rolling (toward) the dugout. (Cervelli) made a nice play to get the guy."

Tony Watson will slide into the closer's role for the Pirates after the team traded Mark Melancon to Washington on Saturday. Watson has made six consecutive scoreless appearances and is holding opponents to a .194 average this season.

LHP Tony Watson retired all three batters he faced in the seventh inning of Game 2, a return to form for one of the majors' best setup relievers the last several seasons. He had been scored upon in each of his three most recent appearances, surrendering seven runs in 2 1/3 innings. He took the loss in two of those three games, including a 5-4 Pirates loss Sunday to the Angels in which he gave up Albert Pujols' two-run homer.

LHP Tony Watson has experienced highs and lows in the past week. The high was easy to determine -- he had a child last week and took three days off for paternity leave. The low came Wednesday, when the reliever's 11-inning scoreless streak ended. He was one strike away from a 1-2-3 eighth inning, but his fastball sailed on him and struck Derek Dietrich on the left wrist. The next batter, Adeiny Hechavarria, won a nine-pitch battle with Watson, fouling off four straight pitches before hammering a game-winning RBI double.

LHP Tony Watson has not allowed a run in his past 11 innings of relief work. His 304 strikeouts rank fourth in Pirates history among lefty relievers. The Pirates are 16-5 this season in his 21 appearances.

LHP Tony Watson was reinstated from the paternity list. Watson was put on the paternity list Wednesday after his wife gave birth to the couple's second child. Watson's 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA after pitching a perfect eighth Saturday night.

The Pittsburgh Pirates reinstated left-handed pitcher Tony Watson from the paternity list Saturday and optioned left-handed pitcher Kyle Lobstein to Triple-A Indianapolis. Watson is 1-0 with a 2.18 ERA in 20 2/3 innings of relief this season.

LHP Tony Watson was placed on the paternity list. His wife, Cassie, was expected to deliver their second child, a boy. Watson is 1-0 with a 2.18 ERA and has 17 strikeouts in 20-2/3 innings.

LHP Tony Watson was placed on the paternity list on Wednesday.

The Pittsburgh Pirates placed right-hander Arquimedes Caminero on the 15-day disabled list and left-hander Tony Watson on the paternity list and recalled right-hander Rob Scahill and left-hander Kyle Lobstein from Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday.Caminero pitched Tuesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks and was ejected in the eighth inning after hitting two batters in the head, including second baseman Jean Segura with a 96 mph fastball in the seventh that sent him to a hospital for concussion tests. He has a left quadriceps strain.In the next inning, Nick Ahmed took an 89 mph splitter from Caminero on the shoulder that ended up hitting his jaw. Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale said after the game that Caminero should not be in the major leagues unless he learns how to control his pitches.Caminero has experienced control problems this season, walking 13 and hitting three batters in 17 1/3 innings. He has an 0-2 record with a 5.19 ERA in 19 outings.Watson's wife, Cassie, was scheduled... [More]

LHP Tony Watson didn't pitch Tuesday, but he's thrown 10 consecutive scoreless innings, with only one hit allowed over his last nine appearances -- a span that covers 27 outs.

LHP Tony Watson allowed a home run Wednesday night to left-handed-hitting Gerardo Parra. In was just the fifth homer by a left-handed hitter in 461 career plate appearances against Watson. He has made 343 career appearances for the Pirates, which ranks fourth all-time among left-handed pitchers behind Wilbur Cooper (469), John Grabow (390) and John Candelaria (345).

LHP Tony Watson allowed three runs to cross in the eighth inning Tuesday. He yielded a sacrifice fly and Nick Castellano's two-run home run alongside two hits and a walk. Watson, who finished 2015 with a 1.91 ERA, had thrown 4 1/3 scoreless innings prior to Thursday's appearance.

LHP Tony Watson avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $3.45 million on Friday.

Despite diminished velocity, Watson retired the Brewers in order Sunday for a scoreless inning of work.

Watson's fastball was sitting 89-91 mph, significantly down from his season average (93.9 mph). The team hasn't shown any concern with the lefty, but it's worth keeping an eye on. Watson leads the major leagues with 36 holds.

Watson collected his major-league leading 30th hold Wednesday against the Diamondbacks.

He's allowed runs only eight times in 56 outings. Watson's 2.69 FIP mirrors his mark from 2014 as his earned-run average has increased from 1.63 to 2.28. That said, the 30-year-old is pitching as well as he ever has and could take over as closer in 2016 if the team decides against giving Mark Melancon a raise from his current $5.40 million salary.

Watson notched his NL-leading 23rd hold Sunday against the Nationals.

He faced only one batter, retiring Bryce Harper on a well-struck grounder to first base. Watson holds a 1.99 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 45:9 K:BB ratio in 45.1 IP, but holds are the only counting stat the lefty figures to accrue with red-hot Mark Melancon closing.

Watson picked up his second win of the year Tuesday, hurling a scoreless eighth inning against the Padres.

He permitted a pair of hits and threw a wild pitch but recorded two strikeouts to shut San Diego's rally. Watson has appeared in 40 of Pittsburgh's first 83 contests, something the team will undoubtedly keep an eye on in the second half. He's averaged 71 appearances over the last three seasons.

Watson could be in a line for a save opportunity Monday if the Pirates make Mark Melancon unavailable due to a heavy workload.

Melancon has appeared in three of Pittsburgh's last four games while Watson has thrown twice since June 25. The lefty leads the Bucs with 19 holds and features a 2.09 ERA and 0.91 WHIP in 38.2 IP.

Watson was tagged with his first blown save of the season Tuesday, serving up a game-tying two-run homer to J.D. Martinez.

Watson has been golden for most of 2015. He holds a 2.11 ERA and 0.93 WHIP in 38.1 innings. The lefty also ranks second in the NL with 18 holds.