Pirates 5, Nationals 3
Many people never heard the name James McDonald before Thursday night, but after the Nationals 5-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, it is a name they won't forget (for at least 2 days). McDonald dominated the Nats through half of the game, and after 5 innings pitched he had thrown 10 strikeouts and had given up 0 hits.
But just when the no-hitter talk started, McDonald fell apart in the 6th inning giving up 4 hits and 3 runs 2/3 of the frame. The best offensive run for the Nats when Ryan Zimmerman had a 2 RBI double and then scored on an Adam LaRoche triple (not a typo).
The Nats left 7 runners on base and were 3-10 with runners in scoring position. Gotta get those guys home.
Jordan Zimmermann had an off game, giving up 7 hits. Three of those were homeruns (2 by McCutchen) which were good for a total of 4 runs. At some point in a series where a guy is killing, you have to pitch around him a bit. Votto and McCutchen are Nats killers.
The Nationals & Pirates won't meet again; the Rats won the season series 3-2. Atlanta now leads the division by half a game. It doesn't get any easier with the Orioles, at the top of the Majors with 25 wins...
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