Pirates pick up second straight win vs. Nationals

Associated Press

PITTSBURGH

Andrew McCutchen’s power will come and go. His speed is what makes the Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder one of the most dynamic players in baseball.

The All-Star used both to give the Pirates their first winning streak in three weeks.

McCutchen went 4 for 4, including his second home run in as many nights, as Pittsburgh dropped the Washington Nationals 4-2 on Wednesday.

Brad Lincoln (2-0) earned the win in relief of starter Erik Bedard, who was lifted three pitches into the second inning due to back spasms. Joel Hanrahan survived a shaky ninth to pick up his sixth save as the Pirates won consecutive games for the first time since April 17-18.

Though McCutchen’s eighth-inning blast gave the Pirates some breathing room, it was his daring dash from second to home on an infield single to cap Pittsburgh’s three-run third inning that stoked his teammates.

The Pirates had runners on first and second with two outs when McCutchen took off on Casey McGehee’s slow roller to shortstop. Washington’s Ian Desmond scooped it up and thought about firing to first before pulling the ball down. Desmond then glanced at third, but McCutchen was already on his way to the plate. By the time Desmond got the ball out of his hands, it was too late.

“He hesitated a little bit and I guess that was just enough,” McCutchen said. “It was one of those, might as well go and I went.”

Desmond praised McCutchen’s speed rather than blame his own indecision.

“I would say nine or 10 times out of 10 that runner stops and tries to dive back into third,” Desmond said.

Ross Detwiler (3-2) allowed three runs and seven hits with four strikeouts in six innings for Washington. Desmond had two hits and Xavier Nady and Chad Tracy knocked in runs for the Nationals.

Hanrahan, who blew a save on Tuesday only to be bailed out by Rod Barajas’ game-winning two-run homer, entered in the ninth and struggled again. He hit pinch-hitter Steve Lombardozzi with one out then gave up a double to Desmond.

In stepped heralded Washington rookie Bryce Harper, still looking for his first major league home run. He swung for the fences while falling behind 0-2 then popped meekly to shortstop.

Ryan Zimmerman followed and worked the count full before striking out on a 96 mph fastball from Hanrahan.