The first game of a two-game set between the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates has so far been going the Nats way as they lead 2-1 but so far it seems Pittsburgh is more the aggressor. Both teams traded blows in the first-inning, but a rare show of power from Jerry Hairston Jr. has become the difference in the game so far that is settling into the sixth-inning.
The Bucs Steve Pearce scored Andrew McCutchen on a RBI single in the top of the first off Nationals starter John Lannan. Then in the bottom of the frame Wilson Ramos struck back for the Nats by scoring shortstop Ian Desmond with a RBI single of his own. Hairston Jr. then put the Nats ahead in the fifth-inning with a solo home run off Paul Maholm.
The Pirates continue to score hits off Lannan (seven hits to the Nats' three) who does not look sharp and seems to be nibbling at the corners of the plate. Unless Lannan calms down a bit one has to think that this score might not hold, but with a bullpen with a few rested characters the Nationals might not need a whole lot of runs Monday night.
Although they certainly will take more without arguement.