Pitching fades late as Nationals fall 6-1 to Pirates

PITTSBURGH - The Nationals needed to keep tonight's game within striking distance, knowing they faced a stiff challenge against Pirates ace Gerrit Cole. For six innings, they were able to do that. Then it fell apart and any realistic hope of a comeback was dashed.

A three-run homer off tiring starter Jacob Turner in the bottom of the sixth and then three more runs off relievers Oliver Pérez and Matt Albers in the bottom of the seventh carried the Pirates to a 6-1 victory over the Nationals at PNC Park.

For five innings, Turner gave the Nationals everything they could have asked for, given the situation. Making his first start since April 24 and returning to the mound after relief appearances Saturday and Sunday totaling 30 pitches, he was sharp from the outset.

Turner allowed only three hits (all singles) through his first five innings, pitching around those and two walks to keep the Pirates from scoring. His fastball consistently registered 94-95 mph and topped out at 97 mph.

But then came the bottom of the sixth. Even though he had been cruising, Turner's pitch count was rising. And considering the fact he had topped the 54-pitch mark only once this season - that April 24 start in Colorado when he finished with 84 pitches - there had to be some fear he would run out of gas.

Sure enough, he did. Turner walked John Jaso to lead off the sixth. He got Andrew McCutchen to ground into a fielder's choice, but then plunked David Freese in the back on an 0-2 pitch. After falling behind 3-1 to Josh Bell, Turner grooved a 94 mph fastball and watched as the Pirates rookie mashed it to right field for a three-run homer and the evening's first runs.

Stymied all night by Cole, the Nationals finally broke through in the top of the seventh on Brian Goodwin's RBI double off the right field wall. But with a chance to make more of a dent into the Pirates ace and cut the 3-1 deficit closer, Goodwin was picked off second base, killing that rally.

Pérez and Albers then couldn't keep the deficit there and give their teammates a chance. The relief duo retired only one of the first five batters they faced, with Andrew McCutchen's two-run single the big hit that broke the game open.

The Nationals couldn't mount a rally against former teammate Felipe Rivero (who pitched a 1-2-3 eighth) or Juan Nicasio (who pitched the ninth to end the game).