Pirates

Pirates Preview: Falter Looks to Lead Bounce-Back vs. Nats

Published

8 months ago

September 12, 2023

The Pittsburgh Pirates (66-78) couldn’t muster much of anything against Patrick Corbin and the Washington Nationals (65-79) and were defeated 6-2.

Corbin pitched 6.2 strong innings and CJ Abrams hit two of the three home runs for the Nationals in their win over the Pirates.

The Pirates will now look to even up their four-game series on Tuesday night.

Tuesday’s game will begin at 6:35 ET and will be aired on AT&T SportsNet.

Weather

Rain in the forecast with cooler temperatures for first pitch. Chance of precipitation 50%. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.

The Pittsburgh Pirates Will Send Out LHP Bailey Falter (1-8, 4.65 ERA)

Since joining the Pirates, Falter has bounced between starting games and being used as a bulk reliever.

His last start was three appearances ago against the Chicago Cubs on Aug. 27. In that game, Falter was knocked around for seven hits and allowed six runs in 4.2 innings.

In his latest two outings, Falter has allowed only one total run and two hits across 7.1 innings pitched.

Falter has extensive experience against the Nationals from his time with the Philadelphia Phillies. His six appearances and three starts against them are tied for the most he’s had against any one team. In those six appearances, Falter is 2-0 with a 2.45 ERA.

The Washington Nationals Will Send Out RHP Joan Adon (2-1, 5.56 ERA)

Adon is coming off a solid outing against the New York Mets last week. In that game, he went 5.o innings and allowed only two runs while striking out six batters.

The right-hander has been up-and-down with his performance lately. In his final start in the month of August, he yielded five runs on nine hits in 5.0 innings against the Marlins. His time before that, he tossed 6.0 scoreless innings in Miami.

Adon was roughed up in his one prior outing against the Pirates. In that game, the Pirates rallied for six runs against him in 4.2 innings. Two of the Pirates’ nine hits in that game left the yard.

Nationals Hitters vs. Falter

Luis Garcia: 2 for 7, one double, four strikeouts
Michael Chavis: 1 for 6, four strikeouts
Lane Thomas: 0 for 5, one walk, two strikeouts
Keibert Ruiz: 1 for 4
Joey Meneses: 2 for 3, one double
CJ Abrams: 0 for 3, two strikeouts

Pirates Hitters vs. Adon

Bryan Reynolds: 2 for 3, one home run, two RBIs
Connor Joe: 0 for 3, one walk, one strikeout

Tidbits

Reynolds extended his hitting streak to 12 games with an RBI single against the Nationals on Monday night. During his streak, he’s hitting .333 (16 for 48).
Since the Pirates acquired Falter, he has a 4.02 ERA in a black and gold jersey. He had a 5.13 ERA with the Phillies prior to the trade.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are 11-13 against the National League East this season. Nine of their final 18 games are against the N.L. East.