For the second consecutive night, the Nationals jumped on Pirates relievers as they scored two in the eighth inning to take the second game of the series, 3-1.
Joe Block has the recap of the game.
Tuesday marked the Bucs’ fifth consecutive loss, and it was also the second time this month the Pirates lost five in a row. Since sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers during the final week of May, the Pirates are 7-17 overall while being on the receiving end of three sweeps.
While the Bucs aren’t playing good baseball at the moment, manager Derek Shelton says his team is “one play away” in most games.
Shelton adds his team needs to create opportunities.
Diego Castillo’s home run on Tuesday was his sixth in the team’s last 13 games, and he says he’s settling in at the plate.
The Pirates look to end the roadtrip with a win this afternoon at Nationals Park. RHP Mitch Keller (2-5, 4.77 ERA) will start for Pittsburgh, while the Nationals will start RHP Paulo Espino (0-1, 2.21 ERA). Airtime is 12:40 p.m. on WCCS 101.1 FM and AM 1160.
PIRATES INJURY NEWS
Prior to yesterday’s game, Shelton told reporters that RHP David Bednar is dealing with a lower back issue, leaving him unavailable for last night’s game. He adds that Bednar is trying to avoid the injured list.
Several Pirates made rehab assignments throughout the team’s minor league system yesterday.
Outfielder Jake Marisnick began his rehab with Triple-A Indianapolis last night, joining shortstop Kevin Newman, outfielder Ben Gamel and first baseman Yoshi Tsutsugo.
Marisnick, who’s been out since May with a broken thumb, went 1-for-4 with an RBI; Gamel went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs; Newman went 1-for-4; and Tsutsugo went 1-for-2 with three walks.
Three more Pirates players rehabbed with Double-A Altoona last night. Utility player Tucupita Marcano was hitless in two at-bats, while pitchers Dillon Peters and Duane Underwood Jr. combined for three shut-out innings.
We’ll have more on their outings in the recap for last night’s Altoona Curve game.
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