The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Washington Nationals in the second game of this week’s four-game series by a 5-1 score at PNC Park.
Bailey Falter earned the victory for Pittsburgh, improving to 2-8 on the season, giving up one run on four hits in six innings on the mound. The Bucs used three relievers as well, combining to give up just two hits in the game’s latter three frames.
Joan Adon started for Washington, giving up four runs on eight hits with six walks while falling to 2-2 on the season.
Joshua Palacios put the Pirates in front with a two-run homerun, his eighth of the season, in the bottom of the second. The long-ball scored Endy Rodriguez, and the Bucs led 2-0 early.
The Nationals cut the lead in half in the top of the fourth inning. Ildemaro Vargas singled to left field, scoring Keibert Ruiz to make it 2-1.
Pittsburgh scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to distance themselves a bit. A single by Miguel Andujar scored Rodriguez to make it 3-1. Then, later in the inning, Andujar scored on a groundout by Bryan Reynolds to push the lead to 4-1. The Bucs would add another run in the bottom of the seventh when Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Alika Williams.
This was a nice response from the Pirates after dropping the series-opener on Monday night. These two teams have similar records, and this is a series the Bucs should be able to earn at least a split if not win. They will take the mound on Wednesday evening for the third game of the series. Neither club has announced its starter yet…with the first pitch slated for 6:35pm.
Record vs. Nationals: 3-2
Record vs. N.L. East: 12-13
Record at Home: 35-38
Overall Record: 67-78
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
