Joey Gallo, Nats send Pirates to first loss of season

Field Level Media|published: Wed 3rd April, 21:33 2024

Apr 3, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals first baseman Joey Gallo (24) celebrates after hitting a home run with catcher Keibert Ruiz (20) against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning at Nationals Park. credits: Rafael Suanes-USA TODAY Sports

Joey Gallo had three hits, including his first home run, and the Washington Nationals handed the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates their first loss of the season, 5-3 on Wednesday night.

Gallo, signed as a free agent in the offseason, entered the game 0-for-12 with six strikeouts. He finished a triple short of the cycle.

Washington's Luis Garcia Jr. had three doubles, drove in a run and scored twice. CJ Abrams contributed two hits and two RBIs.

Jack Suwinski homered and doubled for the Pirates, and Michael A. Taylor added a two-run single.

Pittsburgh's loss leaves the Detroit Tigers (4-0) as the major leagues' last undefeated team.

Washington starter Trevor Williams (1-0) allowed two runs on three hits over 5 1/3 innings. He struck out five and walked two. Kyle Finnegan worked the ninth for his second save.

Five Nationals pitchers held the Pirates to four hits and struck out 13, including four by Hunter Harvey in 1 2/3 innings.

Pirates starter Mitch Keller (0-1) gave up five runs — four earned — on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. He fanned five.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton was ejected for arguing a check-swing strike three call on Bryan Reynolds in the seventh inning.

Suwinski doubled leading off the second inning and Andrew McCutcheon walked. After Rowdy Telez walked to load the bases, Williams retired the next two batters, but former National Taylor grounded a single left, scoring Suwinski and McCutcheon to make it 2-0.

Washington quickly answered. Gallo led off with a home run into the second deck in right-center. After a single and a forceout, Trey Lipscomb reached on catcher's interference. Garcia doubled home Eddie Rosario to tie it and Victor Robles walked. Abrams singled, scoring Lipscomb and Garcia. Robles appeared to tweak his left hamstring racing to third and left the game.

Suwinski homered off Robert Garcia in the sixth to make it 4-3, but back-to-back doubles by Garcia and Ildemaro Vargas in the bottom half boosted the lead to 5-3.

—Field Level Media

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