In It Until the End, Nats Rally Against Pittsburgh – The Post
Clutch hits add up to a crisp victory – The Wash. Times
Before seemingly every Nats blogger except me, the Nationals played the Pirates in Pittsburgh this weekend. The first two were lost with John Lannan and Craig Stammen not pitching too well. Lastings Milledge of all people had the GWRBI (unofficially, of course) in both games. You had to figure that would happen, no? Enjoy it Buccos, it won’t last.

Having already lost the season series (costing me a bottle of Gentleman Jack to TMBC — he still owes me the semi-rare 90 proof Old Rip Van Winkle 10 years old from last year’s Nats victory) they came out yesterday and at least made it respectable. Collin Balestar had his best outing of his young season (ever?), giving up 2 runs over 5 2/3’s innings. He stayed ahead of the count with great regularity until the end. His strong effort was not enough though, as the Nats were still down 2-1 when he left. Josh Willingham changed that with a two-run blast in the seventh off of Pirates starter Paul Maholm. Delwyn Young responded with a solo shot of his own in the bottom of the inning, but that would be it for the home team. Willingham doubled home Ryan Zimmerman in the 8th for the final run of the game, final score 5-3 Washington.

Former Pirate Sean Burnett picked up the win in relief.

Washington Nationals, Nats, Pittsburgh Pirates, Josh Willingham