Don’t tell the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates they have nothing to play for in September, even though they’re well out of contention for the postseason.
Entering the finale of a four-game series in Pittsburgh, they’re playing to win the teams’ season series. For each other. For pride. For the future.
After sweeping Saturday’s doubleheader, the Nationals have a chance to clinch the current series as well as the season series, with the clubs tied 3-3 entering Sunday’s game.
Following a 5-3 win in the doubleheader opener, the Nationals (64-78) rallied for four runs in the top of the ninth in the nightcap, taking the game 8-6.
The Pirates fell to 66-76 for the season.
Washington closer Kyle Finnegan picked up his 35th and 36th saves on Saturday, helping the Nationals to a pair of wins after a long day of baseball.
“These are the kind of days where you’re playing against your own mind and body,” Finnegan said. “You don’t feel great and you’re tired, but that’s adversity and that’s how you challenge yourself. We have a lot of guys here that take pride in being available and doing whatever we can to help the team win.”
Andres Chaparro drove in three runs in Saturday night’s win, and Ildemaro Vargas’ two-run, two-out double on a 3-2 pitch helped Washington snatch the victory.
The Pirates got a quality start from Mitch Keller, who threw six innings of two-run ball, striking out eight and walking none. However, Aroldis Chapman blew his fifth save and lost his fifth game of the year after allowing four runs over 2/3 of an inning.
For Washington, left-hander Patrick Corbin (5-12, 5.41 ERA) will take the mound on Sunday, making his 29th start of the season. The 35-year old left-hander enters on the heels of Tuesday’s 6-2 win against the Miami Marlins, when he threw 5 2/3 innings of two-run, seven-hit ball.
Corbin, whose 12 losses are tied for the most in the National League, is trying to end a three-season streak of leading the league in defeats. Corbin has found success against the Pirates in his career, boasting a 6-3 record with a 3.04 ERA in 14 starts.
Rookie right-hander Jared Jones (5-7, 3.91 ERA) will get the ball for Pittsburgh, looking to add to a promising debut season. Jones’ 106 strikeouts rank third on the Pirates’ staff and are 11th most in the majors among rookies.
Most recently, the 23-year-old earned a no-decision against the Chicago Cubs on Monday, pitching 6 1/3 innings and allowing three earned runs in a 5-3 win.
Sunday will mark his first career appearance against the Nationals.
Jones, who has made just three starts since June 22 due to a lat injury that caused him to miss most of July and August, wants to pitch in meaningful games for Pittsburgh. Games this late in the year can be a precursor to future high-leverage situations, and Jones will take all the opportunities he can remaining in this season.
“I want to, but I can’t really say I’m pitching deep in September since I’ve been out for two months,” he said. “This is like July for me.”
–Field Level Media
