The Pittsburgh Pirates returned to PNC Park on Monday night to begin a seven-game home stand. They would be taking on the Washington Nationals for the first four of those games. Neither of these teams are having great seasons, but with an eye to the future they can hope that late season success carries over to 2024.
Washington would jump out in front with a two-run lead after CJ Abrams hit a two-run home run to right center. Bryan Reynolds would get Pittsburgh on the board with a single to center in the bottom of the inning. The Nationals added two more runs in the fourth. The first on an RBI single by Joey Meneses and a second when Luis Garcia hit into a fielder’s choice.
A Dominic Smith solo homer in the sixth increased their lead to four. Abrams would put Washington up 6-1 after hitting a solo dinger in the seventh. The Pirates got one of those runs back in the bottom of the seventh when Ji Hwan Bae hit a double to right. That would be all the runs Pittsburgh would muster in this 6-2 defeat.
Andre Jackson allowed four runs on four hits with two walks and one strikeout for the Pirates. Hunter Stratton would work the next two innings, allowing one run on three hits with a strikeout. The seventh and eighth belonged to Cody Bolton who would give up one run on two hits. Jose Hernandez would work a scoreless ninth.
Patrick Corbin grabbed his tenth win of the season after pitching 6.2 innings for Washington. He would allow two runs on five hits with eight strikeouts and one walk. Jordan Weems covered the next 1.1 innings giving up one hit, with a walk and a strikeout. The ninth belonged to Jose Ferrer who allowed one hit and struck out one.
These two teams sit one game apart in the standings, so while winning the series would be nice a loss could mean a slightly better drafting position. The second game of this four-game series will take place Tuesday night at 6:35pm. Joan Adon will throw for the Nationals, while the Pirates have yet to name a starter.
Record vs. Nationals: 2-2
Record vs. N.L. East: 11-13
Record at Home: 34-38
Overall Record: 66-78
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
