Tony Watson had a rare bad inning and Justin Wilson allowed a walk-off double as the Pirates fell to the Nationals 4-3 on Saturday night.
Watson entered the eighth inning with the Pirates leading 3-0 after a strong 5 2/3 innings from starter Jeff Locke. Things then went downhill as the Nationals (68-53) got a leadoff walk and two singles to make it 3-1. Watson then got Anthony Rendon to ground into a double play and seemed to have things under control, but Adam LaRoche followed with a two-run home run to tie things at three.
Wilson then started the ninth off walking Bryce Harper and allowed him to advance to scoring position via wild pitch. Wilson then got ahead of Wilson Ramos 1-2 before allowing the walk-off book rule double over the head of Gregory Polanco and into the Nationals bullpen.
The bullpen meltdown erased a solid start by Locke, who scattered four hits and two walks before being replaced by Jared Hughes in the sixth to get the final out.
The Pirates (64-59) took a 3-0 lead in the third on a 2-RBI double by Polanco and a RBI single by Gaby Sanchez.
Final Score; Nationals 4, Pirates 3.
Starters Lines
Locke (ND): 5 2/3 IP, 4 H, 2 BB, 6 K’s. 93 Pitches (55 Strikes).
Gonzalez (ND): 5 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K’s. 102 Pitches (65 Strikes).
The Pirates will look to salvage a game in the series finale tomorrow afternoon.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(RHP) Edinson Volquez (PIT): 10-7, 3.67 ERA
(RHP) Doug Fister (WAS): 12-3, 2.34 ERA
First pitch is set for 5:05.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
