The Pittsburgh Pirates wrapped up a six-game road trip Wednesday afternoon. The trip had not gone well through the first five games. It started with a three-game sweep by the Tampa Bay Rays, and they dropped the first two games against the Washington Nationals. The game on Wednesday was a back-and-forth affair, but at the end of the day Pittsburgh would come out on top 8-7.
Neither starting pitcher did much well during their time on the mound today. Mitch Keller pitched four innings and allowed five runs on nine hits, with four strikeouts and four walks. Washington starter Paolo Espino threw 4.1 innings and gave up four runs on five hits, while striking out four and walking two.
The offense started in the first on a Bryan Reynolds two run home run to left center field. The Nationals answered in the bottom of the inning with two runs of their own. Nelson Cruz hit an RBI single to right center, and would come around to score later in the inning when Keibert Ruiz singled. Washington took the lead in the second on a Juan Soto RBI double to right. A Daniel Vogelbach homer tied the game at three in the top of the fourth.
The Pirates regained the lead in the fifth on an odd play. With one out, Ke’Bryan Hayes hit a line out to first with runners on second and third. Both runners tried to advance and the run from third would score, since the runner from second was tagged out after the runner from third touched home plate. The Nationals quickly took the lead back in the bottom of the inning.
Ruiz tied the game with an RBI single to left center. Yadiel Hernandez gave Washington the lead on a double to right. Ruiz then scored the sixth run of the day when Cesar Hernandez singled to left. Reynolds would hit his second homer of the day in the sixth to bring Pittsburgh back to within one. His third home run of the day came in the seventh and now the Pirates held a two run advantage. The Nationals plated one more run on a Hernandez solo shot to left in the seventh, but it would not be enough.
With these teams being a combined 35 games under .500, it was no surprise that there were some ugly moments during this game. Thankfully, Pittsburgh was able to get a win and snap their losing skid. They will return home for what is to be a very difficult home stand. Up first will be a four-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers beginning Thursday night.
Record vs. Nationals: 4-3
Record vs. N.L. East: 4-7
Record on the Road: 13-25
Overall Record: 30-45
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
