Lannan gives Pirates fits, offense stagnant in loss

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

John Lannan allowed only one run for the second consecutive start, Ivan Rodriguez had three hits and four RBIs and the Washington Nationals broke a three-game losing streak with a 9-2 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night.

Rodriguez homered for the 308th time in his career in the fifth, an inning after hitting a two-run single off the wall as part of a five-run Nationals’ fourth. It was his first four-RBI game since having five June 15, 2007.

Lannan improved to 5-1 with a 2.93 ERA in seven starts since returning from a six-week stint in Double-A to rehab his mechanics and confidence.

Pittsburgh rookie Neil Walker doubled to extend his hitting streak to 11 games, and Paul Maholm took over the National League lead in losses with his 14th.

Late Friday Mariners 1, Indians 0

SEATTLE

Luke French held the Cleveland Indians hitless through 6 1-3 innings and with the support of the bullpen, the Seattle Mariners threw a three-hitter for a 1-0 victory Friday night.

French (4-4), nursing his one-run lead through most of his seven innings, gave up a single with one out in the seventh to Shelley Duncan to end his no-hit bid.