Another Blown Save: Chapman Implodes, Pirates Swept in Doubleheader

PITTSBURGH – Aroldis Chapman had the Washington Nationals down to their final strike, but Connor Joe couldn’t come up with a diving catch in right field with two runners on as the Pittsburgh Pirates were defeated 8-6 and swept in a doubleheader at PNC Park on Saturday. 

Recap

Chapman (5-5) was tasked with protecting the Pirates’ 6-4 lead but surrendered four runs in the final frame. James Wood opened the scoring with an RBI single to bring the Nats (64-78) within a run.

With two outs and a full count, pinch-hitter Ildemaro Vargas hit a liner to right. It looked like Joe made the game-saving grab but the ball popped out of his glove upon impact with the ground, allowing two runs to score.

Keibert Ruiz added an insurance run for the Nationals with a double to left field, knocking Chapman out of the game.

Jared Triolo put the Pirates (66-76) ahead in the top of the first inning with a two-run single with two outs. Alika Williams tacked on another run for the Pirates the following inning with an RBI-double.

The Nationals struck back against Keller in the third inning when Andrés Chaparro ripped an RBI-single to right field. They came within a run on a Dylan Crews sacrifice fly in the fourth.

Those were the only two runs the Nationals scored against Keller who went six innings, allowed seven hits, didn’t walk a batter and struck out eight. 

The Pirates got a run back in the fourth inning on Oneil Cruz’s sacrifice fly to right field to extend the lead to 4-2. 

Ryan Borucki took over for Keller in the top of the seventh and surrendered a game-tying two-run homer on a long homer off the bat of Chaparro.

Yasmani Grandal led off the bottom of the eighth with a walk and was replaced by pinch runner Bryan De La Cruz. De La Cruz advanced to second base on a passed ball from Drew Millas. Joey Bart, who pinch hit for Alika Williams, chopped one to shortstop. De La Cruz was caught in between second and third but snuck back into second under the tag on a throw from CJ Abrams.

Kiner Falefa then plated De La Cruz with a single to right field to break a 4-4 tie and put the Pirates up by a run.

With runners on the corners and one out, Bryan Reynolds legged out a potential double-play ball to give the Pirates what turned out to be an inconsequential insurance run.

Key Moment

The swing that sunk the Bucs.

they call him 🗣️ELLLLL OOOOGGGGGGGGGG pic.twitter.com/YVvfpODQWx

— Washington Nationals (@Nationals) September 8, 2024

Star of the Game

Chaparro finished the game 3 for 5 with a homer and three RBIs, 

Stat to Know

This was just the second time since the start of August that Keller completed six innings. He went at least six innings in 11 of his 14 starts from the beginning of May through the end of July. 

Noteworthy

• The Pirates fell 5-3 in the first game of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon. 

Up Next

The Pirates and Nationals will conclude their four-game series on Sunday afternoon. Rookie Jared Jones (5-7, 3.91 ERA) will start for the Bucs. Veteran left-hander Patrick Corbin (5-12, 5.41 ERA) goes for the Nats. First pitch: 1:35 ET.