Pirates at Nationals
The Washington Nationals hope to get through the final game of the regular season without another injury and match their franchise record for wins when they host the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. Washington gave up four runs in the ninth inning for a 4-1 loss on Saturday to remain one victory behind the 2012 team (98) and, more importantly, National League Cy Young Award candidate Max Scherzer left the game with a right hamstring cramp.
Nationals manager Dusty Baker told reporters after the contest that Scherzer was taken out as a precaution: “He didn’t want to come out. We thought it was best. Max never wants to come out.” Washington’s other major injury concern is 2015 NL MVP Bryce Harper, who is just 1-for-14 with six strikeouts in four games since returning from a knee injury that kept him out more than six weeks and may need a few more at-bats Sunday. Gio Gonzalez is slated to get the start in the finale for the Nationals as he is 4-0 with a 3.09 ERA in eight career turns against Pittsburgh, which has won five of its last seven contests. Andrew McCutchen was a late scratch from Saturday’s lineup for the Pirates due to foot discomfort and is uncertain for Sunday.
TV: 3:05 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Steven Brault (1-0, 3.86 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (15-8, 2.75)
Brault makes his fourth major-league start this season after allowing just five earned runs in 16 innings over the first three. The 25-year-old Californian also has made seven relief appearances with the Pirates in 2017, including one on Tuesday in which he gave up two hits over three scoreless frames versus Baltimore to record the save. Brault, who is 1-3 with a 3.78 ERA in 10 career major-league starts, will be facing Washington for the first time.
Gonzalez attempts to reach 16 wins for the first time since collecting 21 in 2012 and needs 3 1/3 innings to log 200 for the first time since 2011 with Oakland. The 32-year-old Floridian lost three of his last five starts after permitting three runs across five innings in a 4-1 setback against Philadelphia on Tuesday. David Freese is just 1-for-9 versus Gonzalez, who owns a 2.28 ERA at home this year.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pittsburgh 1B Josh Bell was hitless Saturday and remains tied with Jason Bay (2004) for the club’s rookie home-run record at 26.
2. Washington INF Stephen Drew, out since July 25 with abdominal injury, was activated Saturday and is eligible for the playoffs.
3. Pirates OF Starling Marte’s run of five straight contests with two hits ended Saturday, but he extended his hitting streak to 11 games.