We are back for another Bucco Bantr series recap, this time a four-game set between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Washington Nationals that had absolutely everything you could ask for, from explosive offensive innings to dominant pitching performances to late game chaos that ultimately left the series sitting on a razor’s edge heading into the final day. The Pirates came into this one trying to keep momentum rolling after a stretch of encouraging play, and what unfolded over the four games really showed both sides of what this team can be right now. Whether it be the kind of ceiling they have when everything clicks, or the frustrating miscues still show up when games get tight late.
Game 1 was a statement from the opening pitch to the final out, a 16-5 Pirates win that featured one of the most dominant offensive innings this franchise has seen in quite some time. Paul Skenes set the tone immediately on the mound, allowing just one hit over six strong innings while striking out six and walking just one, and even though CJ Abrams was able to sneak a first inning home run over the fence, that was about the only real mistake Skenes made all night as he settled in and completely controlled the game from there.
The offense, though, is what turned this one into a runaway, especially in the home half of the sixth inning where the Pirates put together a 10-run frame that felt like it might never end and officially broke the game wide open. It started with Henry Davis getting things moving, followed by Oneil Cruz working a long and impressive eight-pitch walk that loaded the bases and immediately put pressure on the Nationals.
From there, it turned into one of those innings where everything found grass or found gaps. Bryan Reynolds delivered the biggest swing of the inning with a bases clearing triple into the right field corner that was placed perfectly, Ryan O’Hearn followed with a double that bounced off the wall in center to bring in another run, Spencer Horwitz added another base hit to keep things moving, and Konnor Griffin continued to show confidence with an RBI knock of his own. Cruz then stepped back in and absolutely crushed a ball off the Clemente Wall at nearly 115 miles per hour for more damage, and Brandon Lowe capped the entire sequence with a three-run home run that turned a huge inning into a full-blown demolition.
The energy in the ballpark at that point was electric, with fans waving flags and cones being hoisted as the Pirates turned a competitive game into a complete rout.
Game 2 flipped everything around into a tight 5-4 loss that felt like it was there for the taking but slowly got away from the Pirates almost as quickly as it started. Mitch Keller entered the game with a 1.00 ERA and everything clicking, but from the very beginning it was clear he did not have his usual command. He walked the first two batters he faced, and then Washington immediately strung together three straight singles that turned into a 3-0 lead before the Pirates even had a chance to record an out. Even though Keller managed to limit the damage with a smart pickoff and a strike ‘em out throw ‘em out double play to escape the inning, the rhythm never fully came back, and he ultimately finished with five earned runs over four innings. The Pirates did show life offensively and slowly chipped away at the deficit, starting with Brandon Lowe continuing his hot stretch by launching a home run off the lefty opener to get them on the board. In the middle innings, Marcel Ozuna came through with an RBI double down the line, Nick Gonzales added another run with a groundout, and Joey Bart pulled the game back within reach with a solo home run that made it a one-run game at 5-4. The comeback effort was real, but the tying run never crossed, and the difference ultimately came down to late game decisions.
The talk all around Pittsburgh and beyond was centered around Don Kelly’s decision to hit for Brandon Lowe, the Pirates best bat to this point, with the bases loaded and one out down a run in the seventh against a lefty reliever. Kelly called on Nick Yorke to hit as Lowe has been struggling against lefties this season, however he homered off one earlier in the game. A questionable decision ended in a tough result as Yorke lined one on the ground right to the second base bag and it was an easy double play to end the inning. Not only did Kelly’s decision stand out in that moment, it also came back to bite him in the ninth. With Konnor Griffin on second base after a double off the wall and two outs, Yorke’s spot came up again. This time against a right-handed arm, you would have loved to have Lowe up. Instead, Yorke popped out to end the game. This decision reared its ugly head twice for Don Kelly and the Pirates.
Game 3 was the exact opposite in every sense, a clean and controlled 2-0 Pirates win that was built on early offense and a pitching performance that never allowed Washington to gain any traction. The only scoring in the game came right away in the first inning when Marcell Ozuna ripped an RBI single into right field and Nick Gonzales followed by reaching on an infield hit that brought in another run, giving the Pirates a quick 2-0 lead before the game had even settled into a rhythm. From there, it became a showcase of pitching execution and efficiency. Mason Montgomery opened the game with a scoreless inning to set the tone, and then Carmen Mlodzinski took over and delivered one of his most complete outings of the season. He worked six innings while allowing just two hits, striking out five, and consistently working ahead in counts while never allowing the Nationals to build anything resembling momentum. Once he handed things off, the bullpen closed it out cleanly, with Gregory Soto and Dennis Santana each tossing scoreless innings to complete a full team shutout. It was a fast moving, no nonsense win that showed exactly what this pitching staff looks like when everything is working together.
Game 4 saw Game 3 go so quickly and easy, that it decided to be drunk and sloppy. It led to an 8-7 Nationals win in 10 innings that had every possible swing you could imagine and ultimately ended in frustrating fashion for Pittsburgh.
Braxton Ashcraft got off to a strong start, striking out five over the first four innings while keeping Washington off the board and giving the Pirates a chance to settle into the game.
Everything changed in the fifth inning on a sequence that completely flipped the momentum. After a leadoff walk, a double, and another walk loaded the bases, Ashcraft struck out James Wood but then a ground ball that looked like it could have been a double play turned into a nightmare scenario. Konnor Griffin was late getting to second base on the tag and collided with the runner as he attempted to throw it to first, sending the ball into right field and allowing Washington to keep running around the bases. What should have been at least an out or two, instead turned into a three-run error, and an additional error in the frame pushed it to 4-0 and completely shifted the tone of the game.
The Pirates responded almost immediately, with Oneil Cruz crushing a 119 mile per hour double to get things started and then Marcell Ozuna launching a massive home run off the rotunda to tie the game at 4, one of the loudest moments of the entire series. It was great to see The Big Bear awake from hibernation. Washington answered right back to retake the lead, but Konnor Griffin made up for his earlier mistake with a huge triple off the top of the wall, and Nick Gonzales followed with an RBI single to give the Pirates a 6-5 lead and completely swing momentum again.
The bullpen battle that followed only added to the chaos, with Yohan Ramirez hitting a batter and throwing a wild pitch in a bases loaded situation that flipped the lead back to Washington, while Justin Lawrence later escaped a massive bases loaded jam in the ninth inning to keep the Pirates alive and only down a run.
The rollercoaster of a game continued in the bottom half of the ninth. Jake Mangum led off with a walk, Ryan O’Hearn pinch hit and was hit by a pitch, and Cruz grounded into a fielder’s choice. Ozuna had a big opportunity but went down swinging and then Yorke earned a walk. With the bases loaded and two outs, down a run, Brandon Lowe came up big with a base hit that just reached the outfield grass past second base before getting knocked down. It actually was deflected by the pitcher and then again up the middle before being corralled. This tied the game at 7 and could have won it if not for a mix up at third base. Cruz was being waved, then held, then waved again and ultimately decided to hold on third. Cruz got caught watching the play a bit, but third base coach Tony Beasley was also giving mixed signals so it is hard to stick the blame on one person in a spot like that, and honestly Cruz still may have been thrown out at the plate if he tried to score. Regardless, Bart was retired in the next at-bat.
After getting two quick outs in extras, Dennis Santana gave up a base hit to James Wood and the Nats re-took the lead 8-7.
In the bottom half of the tenth, it looked like the Pirates were gearing up for a crazy come-from-behind winner. Konnor Griffin led off with an infield hit and put runners on first and third with nobody out. However, the Pirates offense was unable to execute after that. Bryan Reynold struck out swinging and Jake Mangum grounded into a game-ending double play. The end of that game, and the end of the series as a whole, leaves a real sour taste in the mouth. Chalk this up as another game that could have been won but wasn’t.
It seems like the last few losses have all been in that category, which is a tough pill to swallow.
At the end of the four games, the Pirates will walk away from a series that perfectly captures where this team is right now. The talent is clearly there with dominant starting pitching, explosive offensive innings, and a lineup that can completely change a game in a matter of minutes when it gets rolling. At the same time, the difference in this series came down to execution in the smallest moments, whether it was late game at bats, defensive breakdowns, or decisions that did not quite work out in key spots. Games like Game 2 and Game 4 are the ones that separate strong series from missed opportunities, and while there is plenty to take away on the positive side, there is also a clear reminder of how thin the margin still is when these games get tight late.
The Pirates fall to 11-8 on the year and will have to turn the page quickly as the Tampa Bay Rays come into town tomorrow for a three-game weekend series at PNC Park. The Pirates will wear their City Connect uniforms for the first time as Bubba Chandler takes the mound to face Nick Martinez. First pitch is set for 6:40pm ET.
