WASHINGTON, D.C. — James Wood led off the game with a home run for the Washington Nationals’ only run, but Braxton Ashcraft and the Pittsburgh Pirates spoiled the Fourth of July, downing the Nationals 7-1 on Saturday at Nationals Park.
Ashcraft (9-3) was sharp across 5 2/3 innings, allowing just one run on six hits while striking out seven to win his fourth consecutive start. The right-hander has posted a 3.04 ERA with 32 strikeouts across four starts since June 17. Pittsburgh rookie Konnor Griffin opened the scoring by stealing home as part of a first-inning double steal, and Henry Davis and Brandon Lowe each drove in two runs to power the Pirates’ offense.
Nationals opener Carson Palmquist (0-1) ran into trouble in the second inning, loading the bases with nobody out while the game was tied 1-1, and was pulled in favor of Zack Littell. Washington’s bullpen couldn’t stop the bleeding from there, and the Pirates pulled away to snap the Nationals’ three-game winning streak.
The loss dropped Washington to 46-44 on the season, while Pittsburgh climbed back to .500 at 45-45. The two clubs will close out the series Sunday at Nationals Park.