One of the ongoing things that Pittsburgh Pirates fans are holding onto this season, is the hope that their Buccos will sweep a series this year. The last time they did it was August of 2020 and they were 0-12 in that attempt in 2021 heading into today. They held the lead through three innings, but a four run fourth by the Washington Nationals sealed the deal on a 6-2 Pittsburgh loss.
A solo home run by Luis Garcia got things started for Washington in the second inning. That run was quickly answered by the Pirates in the bottom half of the inning. Starting pitcher Bryse Wilson would lay down a sac bunt to score Wilmer Difo from third. Pittsburgh then took the lead one inning later on a Bryan Reynolds sac fly to center.
The Nationals would then score the next five runs to close out the series. Alex Avila started things off with a solo home run right to tie the game at two. Later in the inning with two runners on Lane Thomas hit a ball over the Clemente Wall to give his team a three-run lead. The final run of the day came in the seventh when Yadiel Hernandez hit an RBI single to center.
Wilson would see his record drop to 2-7 after a rough 4.1 innings on the mound. He would allow five runs on seven hits with two walks. Kyler Keller finished off the fifth inning, collecting the final two outs. Luis Oviedo allowed one run on three hits with two walks while pitching the sixth and seventh. The eighth inning belonged to Connor Overton, who struck out one batter. Sam Howard worked a scoreless ninth giving up a hit and striking out a batter.
Washington starter Patrick Corbin pitched seven innings allowing two runs on four hits with four strikeouts and two walks. Mason Thompson walked and struck out a batter during his third of an inning. The Nationals used Kyle Finnegan over the next 1.2 innings, striking out one batter and earning his ninth save of the year.
Overall, it was a good series for the Pirates, but man would it be nice to break out the brooms just once before the season is over. After a day off on Monday, Pittsburgh will welcome the Cincinnati Reds to town for a three-game series. Cincinnati is currently in a fight for the final Wild Card spot, so look for them to bring their A game to PNC Park.
Record vs. Nationals: 2-4
Record vs. N.L. East: 14-13
Record at Home: 32-40
Overall Record: 52-91
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
