Steven Brault wants to make something clear about his efforts Wednesday in Cincinnati.

“It wasn’t just a fluke out of nowhere,” he said of 51⁄3 shutout innings that led to a 7-2 victory for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Brault, who had allowed eight runs in 72⁄3 innings in his previous two starts, said he has been improving his command while working with pitching coach Ray Searage and teammate Joe Musgrove. He gave up two runs and three hits in 52⁄3 innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers last Friday.

“Making sure everything is going the right way instead of everything flying around everywhere,” said Brault, who walked 16 in his previous 25 innings but only two against the Reds.

“It’s been really effective so far, so we’re going to keep pounding it and make it work.”

Brault said he likes to start and hopes to remain in that role.

“I like having a routine. I like being able to feel like I know when I’m throwing again,” he said.

Counting four days between starts and the off day Monday, Brault would be in line to pitch Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves. Manager Clint Hurdle only has announced Chris Archer on Friday and Nick Kingham on Saturday for the second and third games of the series with the Milwaukee Brewers.

Jordan Lyles, who injured his hamstring Tuesday, was scheduled to throw in the bullpen before Thursday’s game. If that went well, he could start Sunday.

Of Brault, Hurdle said: “He made (good) pitches pretty much the entire time he was out there (Wednesday). We’ve got room for him in the rotation right now. I would anticipate he’s going to get another opportunity to do it.”

But he offered no specifics.

Nice day for Tucker

Shortstop Cole Tucker was 2 for 2 on Wednesday while playing the last four innings. He was 2 for 25 in his previous eight games and has been replaced in the starting lineup by Kevin Newman, who was hitting .347 before Thursday.

The hits felt good, Tucker said.

“It feels like you’re drowning and you come up for air.”

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