Pirates, Nationals to showcase rookie pitchers

Washington right-hander Cade Cavalli will try for his third straight win when the Nationals conclude their series against the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

The Nationals (61-87), who have won eight of their past 12 games, will be trying to avoid their first series loss in September after winning two and splitting one.

Pittsburgh (65-84) ended a seven-game losing streak and evened the weekend series with a 5-1 win on Saturday.

Cavalli (3-1, 4.67 ERA) will be opposed by Pirates right-hander Mike Burrows (2-4, 3.99) in the finale.

The 27-year-old Cavalli allowed four earned runs in 10 innings in his past two starts -- both against the Miami Marlins -- while striking out seven and walking two. On Monday, he gave up two runs on six hits in five innings in a 15-7 win.

"He's got nasty stuff," interim manager Miguel Cairo said of Cavalli. "He's got a good fastball, good change, a good curveball and he throws strikes. He attacks the hitters. He's a warrior."

Cavalli, who will be making his ninth major league start, has never faced the Pirates.

After a couple of relief appearances as the team looks to manage his innings, Burrows, 25, made the start against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday. He gave up a run on two hits over four innings, striking out six and walking one and took a no-decision in the 3-2, 11-inning loss.

"It's second nature at this point," Burrows said of the switch between starter and reliever. "It's all the same. When they say 'Grab the ball,' I grab the ball and I go."

Burrows, who has never faced the Nationals, has a tough act to follow.

On Saturday, Pirates starter Bubba Chandler -- another rookie -- was perfect through five innings to help Pittsburgh end its losing skid. Chandler, who turns 23 on Sunday, was making just his second major league start and allowed a run on two hits over six innings. He was credited with a no-decision.

Andrew McCutchen and Nick Yorke each hit two-out, two-run singles in the eighth inning and Jared Triolo added a solo homer in the ninth.

"It was great," Yorke said in a loud Pirates clubhouse. "Obviously we come out here trying to win every game. So, to get it done, it feels good to come into a winning clubhouse."

Triolo went 2-for-5 and over his last 39 games is batting .301 (41-for-136) with nine doubles, three home runs, 11 RBIs and 24 runs.

Bryan Reynolds went 2-for-4 with a walk and a run. Over 14 career games at Nationals Park he is batting .396 (21-for-53) with seven doubles, three home runs, and 15 RBIs.

Robert Hassell III went 1-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base for Washington, and Daylen Lile went 1-for-4. He has reached safely in 13 straight games.

Starter Andrew Alvarez tossed six scoreless innings for Washington, but the bullpen, which has been a strength of late, could not hold the lead.

"You're not going to be perfect all the time," Cairo said. "The bullpen has been outstanding the last three to four weeks. Sometimes, you're just not going to have it. And you've got to move on, come back tomorrow and be good."

--Field Level Media