On the surface, it was only two runs, but that was enough for the Pittsburgh Pirates to defeat the Washington Nationals in a season-high 18 innings while also avoiding a series sweep.
Though the game was long and each of the team’s relievers were used, Monday is an off day allowing for everyone to get some rest.
The winning hit came from Starling Marte off former Pirate Oliver Perez with two outs in the 18th inning. Marte swing at the first pitch and hit it deep into the left field seats.
Under normal circumstances this would anger Nationals fans. It was not a bad pitch as it was on the lower-inside part of the strike zone but it was nearly a six hour game and longest in Nationals Park history, so fans of both teams were excited at the possibility of the game ending.
It appeared that the Pirates would win the game 1-0, but Mark Melancon blew his second save of the season.
Melancon got the first two outs but could not put away Daniel Murphy who was in the batter’s box for the first time all series. On Sunday, the second baseman got the best of the Pirates closer hitting a home run down the right field line in fair territory.
The Pirates took the 1-0 lead off Nationals starting pitcher Max Scherzer in the sixth inning when Marte again went first ball swinging, this time for a double, his 20th of the season.
Scherzer allowed six hits and the one run in seven innings while also striking out seven batters. Adam Frazier may have had the most success against Scherzer with two doubles and a walk.
Had the game been won in nine innings, this story would have been all about Chad Kuhl.
Kuhl was coming off two down starts in which his pitches were consistently left up in the zone and punished accordingly.
In Sunday’s start, Kuhl retired 14 consecutive Nationals hitters and on final outs of innings pounded his fist into his glove.
It was clear what the start meant to him and give him additional confidence moving forward in the rotation.
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle ended Kuhl’s outing after six innings. Kuhl has not yet pitched in the seventh inning in any of his four starts. Kuhl ended up with a game score of 79.
Jonathon Niese got the win for the Pirates in his second day returning to the bullpen. His record is now 8-6 on the season.
After Monday’s day off, Jameson Taillon (2-1, 3.86 ERA) will return from right shoulder fatigue to face Chase Anderson (4-10, 5.44 ERA).
Photo credit: @Pirates
