The Pirates had their own Fourth of July fireworks in Washington — and they were all offensive.
Pittsburgh beat the Nationals 7-1 Saturday afternoon at Nationals Park, pounding out eleven hits and going six for fifteen with runners in scoring position. The Bucs put the game away early — scoring once in the first and erupting for four runs in the second inning to chase starter Riley Cornelio before Carson Palmquist made things worse, giving up four runs of his own in relief.
Braxton Ashcraft was the story on the mound — five-and-two-thirds innings, seven strikeouts, just one earned run allowed. He’s been one of Pittsburgh’s most reliable arms all season long, and today was another strong reminder of why.
Henry Davis went one for four with two RBI, Nick Gonzales added two hits and an RBI, and Ryan O’Hearn and Bryan Reynolds each had two hits as Pittsburgh spread the wealth up and down the lineup. Brandon Lowe also chipped in two RBI.
Pittsburgh evens the series at one game apiece. The Bucs close out the three-game set in Washington tomorrow afternoon — first pitch noon Eastern.
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