Nationals blast Bucs again

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

The Washington Nationals are all but certain to finish last in the National League East. After taking on the Pittsburgh Pirates, they realize how much worse it could be.

Ryan Zimmerman drove in four runs, Adam Dunn homered and Jason Marquis won his second in a row after previously going winless all season as the Nationals beat the Pirates 8-1 in a matchup of last-place clubs Sunday.

The Nationals outscored the Pirates 17-3 in the final two games of the three-game set for their first road series victory in 18 attempts since they won two of three against the Mets from May 10-12.

Washington did most of its damage against Pirates right-hander Charlie Morton (1-11), who gave up six runs and eight hits over 3 2-3 innings yet lowered his ERA to 9.66 because four runs were unearned. Morton began the game with a 10.03 ERA that was the third highest in major league history at this stage of a season for a pitcher with at least 10 decisions, according to STATS LLC.

Morton was 1-9 in 10 starts before going to Triple-A Indianapolis for three months. Since rejoining the Pirates, he has given up 14 runs, nine earned, and 17 hits in seven innings.