Gomez spotless in second rehab start

If there was any question about whether Jeanmar Gomez was ready to return to Pittsburgh, he may have just dispelled it Wednesday.

Making a rehab start, the Pirates hurler tossed five hitless innings as Triple-A Indianapolis defeated Norfolk, 8-1.

Gomez fanned four and walked one, facing two over the minimum for the Indians. The 25-year-old right-hander needed just 52 pitches to finish his second International League outing this season.

The Venezuela native has been on the disabled list since June 3 due to an inflamed and strained right forearm. Gomez was 2-0 with a 3.07 ERA in 12 appearances -- seven starts -- for the Pirates. In his previous rehab start June 12, he allowed two runs -- one earned -- on three hits over three innings against Durham.

Gomez is no stranger to gems, having tossed a perfect game for Double-A Akron on May 21, 2009.

Veteran Jose Contreras gave up a single to Jason Pridie with nobody out in the sixth inning, the only hit he allowed in an inning of relief. Atahualpa Severino allowed a solo homer to Norfolk's Buck Britton in the seventh.

Andrew Lambo slugged a three-run homer and Josh Harrison added two RBIs while falling a triple shy of the cycle for the Indians.

Kevin Gausman, the Orioles' No. 2 prospect, took the loss in his Triple-A debut, allowing seven runs on 10 hits over six innings for the Tides.