Pirates win on Marte's home run in 18th inning
WASHINGTON -- Starling Marte had three hits, including a solo homer to left with two outs in the top of the 18th inning, as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Washington Nationals 2-1 Sunday, avoiding a three-game sweep.
The homer came off Washington reliever Oliver Perez (2-3) and came on the first pitch of the at-bat. It was the longest regular-season game in terms of innings in Nationals franchise history.
Pittsburgh reliever Jonathon Niese struck out Danny Espinosa with two runners on base in the bottom of the 18th to end the game.
The Pirates had a chance to take the lead in the top of the 16th when Josh Harrison hit a two-out double to center. But reserve catcher Eric Fryer, who had walked with two outs, was thrown out at the plate on a strong relay from shortstop Danny Espinosa to catcher Wilson Ramos to end the frame.
The Nationals won a 16-inning game at home over the Minnesota Twins on April 24 when Chris Heisey hit a walk-off homer. That same day the Pirates won a 13-inning game at Arizona, which had been their longest game by innings this season until Sunday.
Washington had a chance to win the game in the 14th inning Sunday but Jayson Werth, who had two walk-off RBIs in June, flied out with speedy Trea Turner on second base to end the threat.
The Nationals had tied the game with two outs in the ninth as pinch-hitter Daniel Murphy hit a homer off Mark Melancon to make it 1-1. Veteran closer Melancon, who shook off catcher Erik Kratz a few times, had not allowed an earned run in his last 24 games.
Marte lined a 9-mph fastball off Washington starter Max Scherzer for an RBI double and a 1-0 Pittsburgh lead in the sixth. His hit with one out scored Adam Frazier, who led off with his second double of the game.
Pirates starter Chad Kuhl was making his fourth major-league start and making his big league debut June 26 against the Angeles Dodgers. He struck out five with no walks while throwing 85 pitches Sunday, 54 for strikes.
The right-hander gave up a single to Ben Revere with one out in the first and then retired the next 14 batters before Danny Espinosa was hit by a pitch to lead off the sixth. Espinosa was called out trying to steal after a video challenge by the Pirates with Scherzer at the plate.
Kuhl had allowed 18 hits in his first 13 1/3 innings in the majors and entered the game with a 6.08 ERA. Scherzer allowed one run on six hits with seven strikeouts in seven innings. Scherzer threw a no-hitter at home against the Pirates on June 20, 2015.
Adam Frazier had three doubles for the Pirates and Jordy Mercer also had three hits. The winning pitcher was Niese (8-6), a former starter who had just been banished to the bullpen. Washington (56-37) had won five in a row while the Pirates (47-45) had lost three in a row.
NOTES: The Nationals entered Sunday's game leading the National League in home runs (126), team ERA (3.23) and fielding percentage (.990). They have a league-low 33 errors. ... Pirates RHP Chad Kuhl was expected to have at least 20 family members and friends on hand for the game. He is a product of the University of Delaware and is from Bear, Del., which is less than two hours north of Nationals Park. Kuhl is the fourth Pittsburgh pitcher to make his major-league debut this year as a starter. ... Washington 2B Daniel Murphy, the leading hitter in the league at .348, was out of the starting lineup for the third day in a row with a hamstring injury. Trea Turner started at second base. ... Nationals 3B Anthony Rendon was not in the starting lineup due to the flu. INF Stephen Drew, who had three doubles Saturday, started at third for Washington.