Braxton Ashcraft continued his dominant stretch on the mound, securing his fourth straight start as the Pittsburgh Pirates rolled past the Washington Nationals 7-1 on Saturday.
The right-hander limited the Nationals to a single run on six hits over five and two‑thirds innings, striking out seven batters and showing the poise that has defined his recent run of success.
A Rookie’s Bold Move
In the opening frame, rookie Konnor Griffin added a spark by stealing home, a rare feat that underscored the Pirates’ aggressive base‑running approach.
Henry Davis and Brandon Lowe each contributed two RBIs, bolstering the offense that capitalized on early momentum.
James Wood’s leadoff homer gave Washington a brief spark, but the Pirates’ bats quickly answered, turning the game into a decisive victory.
The win lifted Pittsburgh to a 45‑45 record, a .500 milestone that comes after a three‑game skid earlier in the week, highlighting the team’s resilience.
Looking Ahead
Pittsburgh’s next outing will feature rookie right‑hander Bubba Chandler facing Washington’s veteran Miles Mikolas in the series finale on Sunday, a matchup that could further shape both clubs’ trajectories.