PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - Nelson Cruz and Josh Bell drive in three runs each, Nationals beat Pirates 7-2 Friday night.
The continuing problem for the 2022 Pirates has been first inning runs scored by opponents, it continued Friday when the Nationals scored two runs in the first and the Pirates had to play from behind again.
"We have to be better in the first inning," said manager Derek Shelton. We have to get after guys and stay in attack mode after the first inning it doesn't seem like we've done a very efficient job of that so far."
After a third run was scored by the Nats in the second inning, The Pirates would cut the Nationals to a 3-2 game on a two run single from Hoy Park.
But it was Cruz and Bell that did the damage in this one. Cruz and Bell both finished two-for-four with three RBIs each in the game.
Mitch Keller couldn’t get through the fourth inning as he was pulled in the third. He gave up seven hits, four runs, struck out four and walked three.
Eric Fedde pitched five innings for the Nationals. He struck out six batters, gave up two runs, four hits, and walked two batters. The bullpen for Washington slammed the door on the Pirates and pitched a shutout in four innings of relief.
Injury Report
A foul ball early in the game knocked Roberto Perez out and brought in Andrew Knapp to replace him.
"He's pretty sore. He got hit pretty flush. He was able to get seven or eight innings of treatment. I would say he's day to day. He got flushed out pretty good," said Shelton
Up Next
Game three of this four game series will be Josh Rogers and Bryse Wilson tomorrow with first pitch at 6:35 from PNC Park.