Pirates 6, Nationals 5
Andrew McCutchen hit two homers and drove in four runs to lead visiting Pittsburgh past struggling Washington in the opener of a four-game series.
Charlie Morton (2-2) allowed three runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings to win for the first time since June 18 as the Pirates moved within 1 1/2 games of first-place St. Louis in the National League Central. The Nationals have lost four straight games and nine of their last 11.
Jayson Werth hit his second two-run homer of the game in the ninth to push Washington within a run. Pittsburgh closer Jason Grilli left the game due to discomfort in his right forearm with two outs and the tying run on second, and Vin Mazzaro entered and retired Steve Lombardozzi on a grounder for his first major-league save.
McCutchen hit both homers off Dan Haren (4-11), who lost his eighth straight decision. McCutchen hit a two-run shot in the first inning and smacked another two-run blast in the third to make it 4-0.
Washington trailed 5-0 and didn’t have a hit against Morton prior to Adam LaRoche’s leadoff homer in the fifth. Werth drilled a two-run shot in the seventh to pull the Nationals within two.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Washington fired hitting coach Rick Eckstein prior to Monday’s game. Rick Schu, the organization’s minor-league hitting coach, will replace Eckstein. … McCutchen has 13 homers in 27 career games against the Nationals. … Haren gave up five runs and five hits in five innings.