Pirates Shut Down Nationals 2-0

On April 16th, Pirates shed down the Nationals two nothing Wednesday night at PNC Park.

Jake Irvin took the loss after a shaky first inning where he walked Brian Reynolds,

then gave up three soft singles for both runs.

Washington had won four of their last five, but got blinked for the first time this season,

despite leading the majors and scoring at 5.8. Two runs per game.

Irvin settled in after that tough start going five innings total, with four hits, three walks,

two runs, and five strikeouts.

He blanked Pittsburgh over his final four frames, retiring eight in a row at one point.

Reliever Brad Lord closed it out with three scoreless innings for the Nats.

Manager Blake Boutera praised Irvin's work outside the first, saying,

you can't give up free bases early. Irvin himself wished he had back that walk to Reynolds,

who drew three free passes that night. Is the third straight start where Irvin's allowed

first inning runs totaling seven now. Meanwhile, the Pirates pitching staff dominated.

Opener Mason Montgomery set the tone then, Carmen Mazinski, when six strong relief innings

allowing just two hits. Relievers, Carmen Maladzinski, Gregory Soto, and Dennis Santana,

combined for the shut out holding Washington to three hits total, including one double.

Nationals first baseman Curtis Me called it a mix of good command and speed changes from the

Pirates arms. Tough break for a hot Nats lineup of Pittsburgh grabs the win and hands Washington

their first scoreless game. That's your update from Washington Nationals News Today, powered by AI.