Nationals 4, Pirates 3 (2nd)

Ivan Rodriguez hit a go-ahead RBI single with two outs in the eighth inning and the Washington Nationals earned a split of a day-night doubleheader with a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.

Ryan Zimmerman and Wilson Ramos each had RBIs for Washington, which improved to 2-4 under interim manager Davey Johnson, after losing the first game 5-3.

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, fell to 0-8 when trying to move three games over .500. The Pirates (42-41) are still off to their best start since 1999.

The Nationals tied the game at 3 in the eighth when Brian Bixler stole third and scored after catcher Eric Fryer’s errant throw sailed down the third base line. Rodriguez then lined an 0-2 pitch from Tony Watson (0-1) into right field, scoring Rick Ankiel.

Drew Storen pitched the ninth for his 20th save in 23 chances after Ryan Mattheus (1-0) threw a scoreless eighth.
Final1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9thRHE
Pittsburgh PiratesPirates002000100392
Washington NationalsNationals011000020450
WP:Ryan Mattheus (WAS)
LP:Tony Watson (PIT)
Season Series
WashingtonStatsPittsburgh
4-4Vs4-4
.238Batting Average.285
3.1Runs / Game4.4
8Home Runs2
12Errors4