Pirates 5, Nationals 1
Gerrit Cole allowed two hits in seven innings and had a run-scoring single to lead visiting Pittsburgh over slumping Washington for the second consecutive night.
Cole (5-3) gave up one run, struck out four and walked one while snapping a three-start losing skid. He went 2-for-3 at the plate, including a ground single to left to cap a three-run second inning.
Pedro Alvarez hit an opposite-field smash to left field off Taylor Jordan (0-3) in the eighth for his 25th homer and Gaby Sanchez delivered a run-scoring double later in the inning to give the Pirates a four-run cushion.
Pittsburgh scored its first two second-inning runs on Neil Walker’s fielder’s choice and an error by Nationals second baseman Anthony Rendon before Cole bounced a 0-2 pitch between short and third to make it 3-0. Wilson Ramos hit a solo homer in the third for Washington, which has lost five straight games and 10 of 12.
Jordan allowed five runs (four earned) and nine hits in 7 2/3 innings in his fifth career start. The Nationals had just three hits in the first contest under new hitting coach Rick Schu, who replaced the fired Rick Eckstein.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Pirates All-Star closer Jason Grilli was placed on the disabled list with a forearm injury that he sustained during Monday’s game and RHP Vic Black was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis. Grilli leads the National League with 30 saves. … Washington 3B Ryan Zimmerman was 0-for-4 and is hitless in 12 at-bats over the last three games. … Walker (oblique) was activated from the disabled list and was hitless in four at-bats. INF Brandon Inge was designated for assignment to open up a roster spot.