The Washington Nationals had a golden opportunity to put some offense together on Wednesday night, but the Pirates' bullpen slammed the door and held the Nats to just one earned run. Washington lost 4-2, to drop the series against the Bucs. Pittsburgh starter Erik Bedard left the game with back spasms in the second inning, but the Pirates' bullpen was dominant, striking out 11 in eight innings of work.

Ross Detwiler was solid, but the Pirates strung together four hits in the third inning to score three runs. After getting two quick outs to start the inning, Neil Walker, Andrew McCutchen, and Casey McGehee would all drive in runs with singles. That's all Pittsburgh would need as the Nats' bats continued to scuffle against five Bucs' relievers. The Nats scored an unearned run in the 4th inning when Xavier Nady singled home Bryce Harper. A Chad Tracy sac fly would bring home Danny Espinosa in the 7th but that would be it.

Stephen Strasburg will go for the Nats on Thursday night in the series finale, looking to stop the skid and prevent a sweep. Clint Hurdle will put Kevin Correia on the mound.

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