Washington starter Jason Marquis allowed three runs in the first inning, and four runs in the second, putting the Nationals in a deep hole early on Sunday afternoon at Nats Park. By the time Collin Balester relieved Marquis and closed out the second inning, Washington was down 8-0 on their way to a 10-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Balester was solid in relief of Marquis, throwing 76 pitches over four innings of work, walking two, striking out five and allowing two earned runs, saving the Nationals bullpen in the process.
Kevin Correia held the Washington bats in check for six innings, allowing just two runs on six hits, while striking out six. He lowered his ERA to 3.74 in the process, and is now tied for the major league lead lead with 11 wins.
Andrew McCutchen continued his holiday weekend onslaught on Nationals pitching, going three for five with three runs scored and two runs batted in. Pirates second baseman Neil Walker added three hits and two RBIs, as the Pittsburgh team amassed 16 hits off of Washington pitching
Wilson Ramos was the lone bright spot in the Washington lineup, going two for four with a double, home run and two runs batted in.
Jayson Werth was hit on the wrist in the sixth inning, and was immediately removed from the ballgame by skipper Davey Johnson. Television replays seemed to indicate the ball hit a wrist guard, but there has been no official news yet from the team on Werth's condition.
Washington celebrates the July Fourth holiday with a 1:05 P.M. first pitch Monday at Nationals Park against the Chicago Cubs.