The Pittsburgh Pirates will look to keep manufacturing runs as they go for a series win on the road against the Washington Nationals on Sunday. <\/p>\n
In Saturday’s 7-1 win, the Pirates did all their damage without an extra-base hit. Pittsburgh had 11 singles — four of which didn’t leave the infield — and stole four bases. <\/p>\n
The ability to generate offense by stringing together hits, taking extra bases and swiping bags is a trait Pirates manager Don Kelly said has become a strength. <\/p>\n
“We have a lot of resilience,” Kelly said. “We’ve talked about how we’ve shown the ability to bounce back.”<\/p>\n
The Pirates shook up their bullpen prior to Saturday’s game. Evan Sisk (left elbow inflammation) was placed on the 15-day injured list, and Hunter Stratton was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis. The right-handed reliever developed a two-seam fastball while in the minors.<\/p>\n
“(It’s) something that goes arm-side,” Stratton said. “I think it’s really going to help me moving forward.”<\/p>\n
The Pirates selected Stratton in the 16th round of the 2017 MLB Draft and he appeared in 47 games between 2023 and 2025. He was reacquired in a trade with the Braves on June 18 and is looking forward to helping stabilize the Pirates’ bullpen. <\/p>\n
“Everybody has been great,” Stratton said. “They’ve welcomed me. I’m just happy to be back. I can go out there, have quick innings and fill up the zone. Just help in any way I can.”<\/p>\n
Bubba Chandler (3-8, 4.62 ERA) is scheduled to start for Pittsburgh. The right-hander’s last outing was in an 8-0 road loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday. Chandler allowed five earned runs — his most since April 23 — on seven hits over 6 1\/3 innings.<\/p>\n
He’s made one career start against the Nationals and is 0-0 with a 1.50 ERA. He has walked none and struck out seven. Chandler has lasted at least five innings in his last eight starts. <\/p>\n
The Nationals are set to give the ball to right-hander Cade Cavalli (5-4, 3.69), who tossed a gem in his last outing. Cavalli held the Boston Red Sox to one run on one hit with no walks and 13 strikeouts in an 8-1 win on Tuesday. <\/p>\n
Cavalli is making the start as he appeals a seven-game suspension issued after a bench-clearing incident against the Red Sox which resulted from him taunting Willson Contreras after striking him out.<\/p>\n
Cavalli has two career starts against the Pirates and is 0-1 with a 9.95 ERA. His last appearance against Pittsburgh was on April 13 where he was tagged with the loss, lasting 1 1\/3 innings and giving up four runs on three hits with three walks and two strikeouts. <\/p>\n
After James Wood crushed a first-pitch fastball to deep right field in the first inning on Saturday, the Nationals’ bats went quiet. Wood’s 23rd homer accounted for the lone extra-base hit of the six hits Washington managed. <\/p>\n
Nationals manager Blake Butera said he wants the club’s leadoff hitter to get as many at-bats as possible.<\/p>\n
“Woody is a really good hitter,” Butera said. “When we get him up to the plate as many times as possible, we like our chances.”<\/p>\n
After piling up 12 hits in the 9-5 series-opening win, Wood said the Washington hitters have to wisely choose the pitches they want to drive. <\/p>\n
“We need to take the same approach,” Wood said. “Be disciplined and get a good pitch to hit.”<\/p>\n
–Field Level Media<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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