Nationals 9, Pirates 2

Ivan Rodriguez went 3-for-5 with a home run and a season-high four RBIs as the Washington Nationals snapped a three-game losing streak with a 9-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Ian Desmond collected three hits and an RBI for the Nationals, who had lost nine of their previous 12 road games.

Rodriguez ignited a five-run rally in the fourth inning with a two-run double. Danny Espinosa followed with an RBI single while Jason Maxwell and Nyjer Morgan plated a run apiece later in the frame.

The following inning, Michael Morse led off with a single before Rodriguez launched Paul Maholm's first offering over the right-field wall for his third homer of the season and a commanding 7-0 lead.

Desmond hit an RBI double in the sixth and Michael Morse added a run-scoring single in the eighth for a 9-1 advantage.

John Lannan (7-6) won for the fifth time in six decisions, allowing one run and five hits in seven innings. The left-hander, who improved to 1-3 lifetime vs. Pittsburgh, walked one and struck out seven.

Maholm (7-14) suffered his fifth straight loss as he was battered for seven runs and eight hits in 4 1/3 frames, falling to 0-4 in seven career starts against the Nationals.

Andrew McCutchen homered and Lastings Milledge had three hits for the Pirates, who had won three in a row at home.

Final1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9thRHE
Washington NationalsNationals0005210109153
Pittsburgh PiratesPirates000010010291
WP:
LP:
HR:(PIT): Andrew McCutchen
(WAS): Ivan Rodriguez
Season Series
PittsburghStatsWashington
1-5Vs5-1
.269Batting Average.316
3.3Runs / Game6.3
4Home Runs10
6Errors6