Brandon Williamson

CINCINNATI — Rookie left-hander Brandon Williamson will get his 16th start of the season when he takes the mound for the Cincinnati Reds against the Pittsburgh Pirates at 6:05 p.m. tonight.

The “pride of Martin County” carries a 4-2 overall record and 4.54 ERA into the National League Central Division clash. Williamson has recorded 64 strikeouts and holds a 1.26 WHIP in 75 1/3 innings of work this summer.

The former Martin County West High School standout is coming off his best pitching performance at the major league level.

Williamson notched a MLB career-best nine strikeouts without issuing a walk in 6 2/3 innings of work to earn the winning decision in the Reds’ 5-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Monday. He allowed one earned run on only three hits.

Cincinnati closer Alexis Diaz worked a hitless and scoreless ninth inning to earn his 33rd save of the season.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Joey Votto each slugged home runs in the fourth inning to help support Williamson from an offensive perspective earlier this week.

Williamson squares off against the Pirates’ Luis Ortiz tonight. Ortiz carries a 2-3 record and a 4.86 record into the divisional contest in Pittsburgh.