Pirates vs Nationals Recap: Lyle, Garcia power Nats to 9-5 win

The Washington Nationals hosted the Pittsburgh Pirates at their home stadium on Friday night, and the crowd was ready for a party. Pittsburgh came in riding a one-game winning streak at 44-44, while Washington stood at 45-43 and had won their last two games. You could feel the energy in the air as Mitch Keller took the mound for Pittsburgh. But the Nationals jumped all over him right away. Luis Garcia Jr. crushed a 395-foot bomb to right field in the first inning off an 89 mph cutter. One pitch later, Daylen Lile ripped another home run—this one sailing 417 feet to center field. Washington was up 2-0 before Pittsburgh even got a hit. The Pirates' ace Mitch Keller was in trouble already.

Bryan Reynolds brought the Pirates back to life in the third inning. He launched a 426-foot home run to center field, cutting Washington's lead to 2-1. But the Nationals answered hard in the bottom of the third. Jose Tena smashed a deep 434-foot home run to center that scored James Wood running from first. Daylen Lile doubled down the right field line, and CJ Abrams raced home. Washington now led 5-1. Mitch Keller kept getting battered. In the seventh inning, Luis Garcia Jr. struck again with another home run—this one 413 feet to right field, scoring Nasim Nunez. The Pirates' pitcher was pulled after giving up five runs through six innings. Washington's young bats were on fire.

The Pirates refused to quit. In the ninth inning, they came storming back against Zak Kent. Brandon Lowe doubled to right field, driving in Jared Triolo. Then Bryan Reynolds doubled to center, bringing Lowe home. Esmerlyn Valdez ripped another double down the right field line, scoring Reynolds. Nick Gonzales doubled to right, plating Valdez. Just like that, the Pirates had scored four runs and cut it to 9-5. But time ran out. Daylen Lile had also crushed a two-run homer in the eighth, extending Washington's lead to 9-1. The Nationals held on for a 9-5 victory. Washington improved to 45-43 and is heading in the right direction. Pittsburgh dropped to 44-45 despite the late comeback charge.