The Pittsburgh Pirates are off to a great start in 2024, now 5-0 for the first time since 1983. They secured an 8-4 victory against the Washington Nationals on Monday, with Connor Joe delivering two crucial hits, including a go-ahead RBI double in the eighth inning.
Former National Michael A. Taylor led the charge with three hits, while Bryan Reynolds, Andrew McCutchen, Alika Williams, and Henry Davis each contributed two. Reynolds extended his streak of reaching base safely to 33 games with a single in the first inning, and later added a two-run double in the ninth.
“If we keep playing our game and putting pressure on opposing bullpens, we’ll keep racking up wins,” Joe commented.
This undefeated streak for Pittsburgh, all on the road, follows their four-game sweep of the Miami Marlins to kick off the season. Their offense has been impressive, scoring at least six runs in each of their first five games, a feat not seen since at least 1900.
“Our hitters show resilience and determination. They never give up,” remarked Pirates starter Marco Gonzales. “That speaks volumes about their character.”
The game was tied 3-3 in the seventh until Washington’s Riley Adams hit a two-run homer off Pirates reliever Roansy Contreras. However, Pittsburgh responded with a three-run eighth inning against Nationals relievers Robert Garcia and Matt Barnes. Joe’s timely double brought in the go-ahead run.
Aroldis Chapman closed the game for the Pirates, securing his first save of the season. Nationals manager Dave Martinez opted not to use his top relievers, Kyle Finnegan and Hunter Harvey, saving them for later games.
Neither starting pitcher earned the win. Gonzales, making his Pirates debut after being acquired from Atlanta, allowed just one run in five-plus innings. Washington’s MacKenzie Gore yielded three runs over 5 1/3 innings, striking out six batters.
During pregame introductions, former Nationals players Sean Doolittle and Geraldo Parra received warm ovations, as did Michael A. Taylor, who drove in the Pirates’ first run with a sacrifice fly.
