Stifled Offense, Three Nationals Homers Sink Pirates 6-2

PITTSBURGH — After getting stifled by Washington Nationals starter Patrick Corbin and a two-homer game from CJ Abrams, the Pittsburgh Pirates were defeated 6-2 at PNC Park on Monday night.

Recap

The Pirates’ offense was bested against the veteran left-hander Corbin (10-13) throughout his outing for the Nationals. Corbin limited the Pirates (66-78) to a pair of runs in 6.2 innings and he struck out eight batters.

Bryan Reynolds drove in a run with a base hit up the middle in the second inning. The Pirates didn’t strike again against Corbin until Ji Hwan Bae drove in Miguel Andujar with a two-out double in the sixth.

The Nationals (65-79) struck for four runs against Pirates starter Andre Jackson, the first of two coming on an Abrams’ two-run home run in the top of the third inning.

Abrams connected on a solo homer against reliever against reliever Cody Bolton in the sixth inning, his second of the game. The line-drive home run over the Clemente Wall pushed the Nationals’ lead to 6-1.

Dominic Smith hit a solo home run into the bushes in center field in the sixth for the other of the Nats’ three home runs.

Key Moment 

Down a run in the bottom of the third, the Pirates had runners on the corners with two outs Andujar at the plate. Connor Joe broke from first and the Nats caught him in the rundown. At third base was Reynolds, who attempted to score but was thrown out. The Nats went on to add two in the top of the fourth.

Star of the Game

As good as Corbin was, it was the first multi-homer game in Abrams’ career.

Stat to Know

Jackson had not allowed more than three runs in any of his first six appearances with the Pirates, but has given up a combined 10 earned runs over his last two appearances (10.1 innings).

Noteworthy

• With his RBI single in the third inning, Reynolds extended his hitting streak to 12 games.
• Ke’Bryan Hayes saw his seven-game hitting streak come to a close after finishing the night 0 for 4.
• Jared Triolo played first base for the first time in the big leagues, getting the start at first for the Pirates. At the plate, Triolo reached base twice on an infield single and a walk.
• In his last two starts entering play, Corbin had allowed 14 runs on 17 hits in 9.0 innings pitched. his eight strikeouts were the second-most he’s had in a game this season.

Up Next

The Pirates and Nationals will continue this four-game series on Tuesday night. Pittsburgh has yet to announce a starter and it will be Joan Adon (2-1, 5.56 ERA) on the mound for the Nats. First pitch: 6:35.