Nova struggles, still gets the win.

Pitching for the first time since starting in Detroit 11 days ago, Ivan Nova took to the mount to face a gritty Diamondbacks lineup, Tuesday night in the Bronx.

It wasn't his best night but got the job done, as Nova went 5 innings, allowing only 2 runs, on 7 hits, 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts over 94 pitches.

After throwing 22 pitches in the first inning Nova looked to have settled down, striking out 2 of the next 4 hitters he faced. His pitches were looking a little sharper and his curveball continued to stay nasty.

The 3rd inning is where Nova started to kind of lose it. Arizona scored both the runs in that inning. Sending 7 hitters to the plate, leaving Nova at 71 pitches thought only 3 innings.

Then once again Nova was able to find a groove, retiring 6 of the next 8 hitters he faced in innings four and five.

Like I said it wasn't pretty as Nova didn't have one clean inning in which a batter didn't reach base. But it got the job done.

Still, getting through five innings, Nova was able to qualify for the victory, which he got thanks to Robinson Cano and his 3-run blast in the 4th inning.

The next challenge Ivan Nova will likely face, will be on Sunday against a dangerous Toronto Blue Jays lineup.

Follow @GavinEwbank2013 on Twitter.