Pirates Blow Early Lead in Loss to Nationals

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates had a strong strart to the series finale vs. the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, but faltered later on offensively and lost 4-3.

The loss for the Pirates makes it eight losses in the past nine games, suffering sweeps to the Milwaukee Brewers, Sept. 5-7 at PNC Park, and the Baltimore Orioles, Sept. 9-11 at Camden Yards. plus a loss in the series opener to the Nationals, 6-5 on Sept. 12.

Pittsburgh falls to 65-85 overall and 23-52 on the road this season, while Washington improves to 62-87 overall and 31-43 at home.

The Pirates got their offense going early in the top of the first inning, as third baseman Jared Triolo singled and first baseman Spencer Horwitz walked.

Designated hitter Bryan Reynolds struck out, left fielder Tommy Pham grounded out, moving both baserunners into scoring position, then shortstop Nick Gonzales came through with a two-out triple, scoring both Triolo and Horwitz to put the Pirates up 2-0.

Gonzales later came in and scored off a wild pitch from Nationals right-handed starting pitcher Cade Cavalli, adding onto their lead at 3-0.

The Pirates gave themselves another chance to score in the inning, as center fielder Oneil Cruz singled and Cavalli hit catcher Joey Bart with a pitch, but rookie second baseman Nick Yorke grounded out and ended the inning.

Pirates rookie right-handed starting pitcher Mike Burrows had a strong first inning, but then struggled with the Nationals in the second inning.

He gave up a leadoff walk to left fielder Daylen Lile and then gave up a single to first baseman Andrés Chaparro, putting runners on the corners for the Nationals.

Burrows then allowed a double to third baseman Paul DeJong, scoring Lile and moving Chaparro to third base, a sacrifice fly to second baseman Nasim Nuñez, scoring Chaparro, and then a single to center fielder Jacob Young, scoring DeJong, which tied the game for the Nationals at 3-3.

Both teams then struggled offensively, with Burrows and Cavalli settling in and finishing off their outings well.

Burrows gave up just two more hits and finished with six strikeouts over 4.1 innings pitched and 61 pitches. Cavalli gave up three walks, but didn't give up any runs over his final four innings, throwing 67 pitches over five innings.