Former University of Delaware standout pitcher Chad Kuhl was impressive in his major league debut June 26 as the right-hander went five strong innings and earned the win as the host Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3 at PNC Park.

Not only did Kuhl earn the win, he outpitched three-time Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw for the victory in the game, which was televised on ESPN.

Kuhl became the first former Blue Hen to appear in a major league game since 2010 and the first to start a game since Dallas Green, pitching for the Washington Senators, in 1965.

Kuhl had a shaky first inning, allowing two base-runners, but got out of trouble and went on to pitch five innings, leaving with the Pirates holding on to a 4-3 lead. He allowed just four hits and three earned runs and struck out five batters in his debut.

By the time Kuhl came to bat with the bases loaded and one out in the second inning, he’d already escaped a bases-loaded jam of his own. He retired the first two batters he faced. Two walks and a single followed, but Kuhl got Yasiel Puig on a groundout to third.

“The first inning was a little shaky,” said Kuhl, who was called up from AAA Indianapolis, where he was 6-2 with a 2.58 earned run average (ERA) in 14 starts this season. “But I did my best. I think I was getting used to the game. Getting out of that, getting some confidence, being able to escape some trouble, get back to what I do best, put the ball on the ground, really set the tone for the rest of the outing. It’s really something special. That’s something to dream about, my debut was against Kershaw, so that was incredible.”

Kuhl also impressed many at the plate and with his glove. In his first career at-bat in the second inning, he battled Kershaw through eight pitches, finally striking out after fouling off several pitches.

He also saved a run in the fifth with the Pirates clinging to a 4-3 lead. With Justin Turner on third base and Joc Pederson at the plate, Kuhl’s pitch got past catcher Chris Stewart. But Stewart tracked down the errant pitch and threw to Kuhl at the plate. Kuhl tagged out Turner with an athletic move, jumped to his feet, and punched his arms in the air in celebration.

Kuhl was aided by a three-run double by David Freese in the second inning. Mark Melancon pitched a perfect ninth inning for his 22nd save, combining with Juan Nicasio and A.J. Schlugel for four innings of scoreless relief.

“I thought it was fun to watch him out there,” Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told reporters after the game. “Talk about a guy rolling up his sleeves and going to work. There was probably a lot going on inside, and I thought he channeled his emotions well. Regardless of what happened, he stayed aggressive.”

Kuhl, a ninth round pick by Pittsburgh in 2013, earned second team All-Colonial Athletic Association and second team ABCA All-Region honors in 2013 after posting a 10-2 record and ranking third among Blue Hen starters with a 3.75 earned run average in 15 starts.

He also led the team with 105.2 innings pitched and struck out 76 batters. His 10 wins ranked second in the CAA and were the most by a UD pitcher since 2001 when Vic Sage went 11-3 and Rich McGuire posted a 10-3 record.

“This is great for our program and for our state,” said UD baseball head coach Jim Sherman, who recruited and coached Kuhl. “Chad has worked for this day since he first stepped into our program and then continued his progress in pro ball. This is truly a dream come true for him. There was no doubt in my mind that he would make the big leagues someday."