SB Nation DC - Nationals Vs. Pirates: Nationals Swashbucked By Pirates, Lose 7-2https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48897/dc-fave.png2011-04-23T23:00:26-04:00http://dc.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18933212011-04-23T23:00:26-04:002011-04-23T23:00:26-04:00Nationals Vs. Pirates Final Score: Nationals Can't Find Error Of Their Ways, Lose to Pirates 7-2
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<p>Saturday night's 7-2 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> is a game the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> are going to want to quickly forget. Everything that could go wrong in a baseball game pretty much did for the Nats at PNC Park. From falling behind in the first-inning to multiple errors to questionable umpiring calls, the Nationals couldn't put anything together and the Pirates quickly swarmed and took control of the game.</p>
<p>Nationals starter <span>Livan Hernandez</span> pitched in his 450th game and went six-innings, but his undoing came early in the game as the Bucs were able to score five runs in the first-inning and then added a sixth in the second without Hernandez even giving up a hit. The Nationals defense collected three errors, two from <span>Ian Desmond</span> and one from catcher <span>Wilson Ramos</span> while outfielder <span>Jayson Werth</span> too had trouble at his position, if only briefly, but it was enough for the Bucs to capitalize on and extend innings.</p>
<p>In the bottom of the sixth a questionable call by the umpire led to a run when <span>Andrew McCutchen</span> went to steal second. McCutchen slid into a the glove of a waiting second baseman <span>Danny Espinosa</span> who already had the ball firmly in his leather, but the umpire called McCutchen safe. Two batters later <span>Lyle Overbay</span> singled him in for the Pirates final run of the night.</p>
<p>The inconsistent Nationals offense once again entered a cold spell. While recording six hits, they couldn't string anything together against Pirates pitcher <span>Jeff Karstens</span>. The only runs of the game from a second-inning RBI single from <span>Michael Morse</span> and a fourth-inning solo home run from Werth.</p>
<p>The Nationals fall below .500 and to a 9-10 record.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2011/4/23/2129667/nationals-pirates-final-scoreAndrew Kinback2011-04-23T21:29:01-04:002011-04-23T21:29:01-04:00Nationals Vs. Pirates Score: Nationals Attacked By Pirates, Trailing 6-2
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<p>The game between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> experienced a one hour and eleven minute rain delay at PNC Park, but from the way Saturday's game has played out the Nationals probably wish it was still in a delay or outright cancelled. The Nationals trail the Pirates 6-2 going into the fifth.</p>
<p>Starter <span>Livan Hernandez</span>, pitching in his 450th consecutive game, had the Bucs jump all over him as he made 31 pitches in a five-run first-inning. The Pirates scored their sixth run in the second-inning without scoring a hit. The Pirates have been helped by two Nationals errors, one from shortstop <span>Ian Desmond</span> and the other from catcher <span>Wilson Ramos</span>.</p>
<p>The Nationals only runs came from a <span>Michael Morse</span> RBI single when he brought in <span>Adam LaRoche</span> in the second-inning and in the fourth when <span>Jayson Werth</span> hit his third home run of the season. Without drastic improvements in nearly every part of the Nationals game, it is doubtful that on a night where Hernandez reaches an epic milestone anyone in Natstown will be celebrating.</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/washington-nationals/2011/4/23/2129558/nationals-vs-pirates-score-livan-hernandezAndrew Kinback2011-04-23T18:01:50-04:002011-04-23T18:01:50-04:00Nationals Vs. Pirates: Livan Hernandez Makes 450th Straight Start
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/">Washington Nationals</a> will take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pittsburgh Pirates</a> at 7 p.m. Saturday in the first game of a three-game series at PNC Park. The series was supposed to begin on Friday, but the game was rained out. That was actually a good thing for the Nationals, as it allows them to get back to their normal pitching rotation. </p>
<p><span>Livan Hernandez</span> will make his 450th consecutive start for the Nationals, a remarkable stat that speaks to his durability and longevity. Hernandez is off to a strong start this season, as he is 2-1 with a 2.88 ERA in his first four starts. <span>Jeff Karstens</span> will oppose Hernandez for the Pirates. Karstens is 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA this year in four appearances, one of which was a start.</p>
<p>The Nationals will keep the same lineup for this game as they would have played on Friday. Here it is:</p>
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<p><b>Nationals</b></p>
<p>1. <span>Danny Espinosa</span>, 2B</p>
<p>2. <span>Rick Ankiel</span>, CF</p>
<p>3. <span>Jayson Werth</span>, RF</p>
<p>4. <span>Adam LaRoche</span>, 1B</p>
<p>5. <span>Wilson Ramos</span>, C</p>
<p>6. Michael Morse, LF</p>
<p>7. <span>Ian Desmond</span>, SS</p>
<p>8. Jerry Hairston, 3B</p>
<p>9. Livan Hernandez, SP</p>
<p><b>Pirates</b></p>
<p>1. Andrew McCutcheon, CF</p>
<p>2. <span>Jose Tabata</span>, LF</p>
<p>3. <span>Lyle Overbay</span>, 1B</p>
<p>4. <span>Neil Walker</span>, 2B</p>
<p>5. <span>Garrett Jones</span>, RF</p>
<p>6. <span>Ryan Doumit</span>, C</p>
<p>7. <span>Pedro Alvarez</span>, 3B</p>
<p>8. <span>Ronny Cedeno</span>, SS</p>
<p>9. Jeff Karstens, SP</p>
https://dc.sbnation.com/2011/4/23/2334023/nationals-vs-pirates-livan-hernandez-makes-450th-straight-startMike Prada