Ildemaro Vargas hit a two-run double off Aroldis Chapman during Washington’s four-run ninth inning, leading the Nationals to an 8-6 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night and completing a doubleheader sweep.
The Nationals had won the first game 5-3. DJ Herz pitched five innings without allowing a hit, and rookie Dylan Crews hit a home run.
In the second game, Washington rallied with two outs against Chapman (5-5). James Wood’s single scored Drew Millas to bring the Nationals within one run.
With runners on second and third, Vargas was brought in to bat for Luis García Jr. Facing their last strike, Vargas hit a liner into right field that bounced off the glove of diving Connor Joe.
Vargas scored on Keibert Ruiz’s double, as Chapman blew his fifth save in 11 opportunities this season.
“I didn’t play in the first game or the second game, but I kept myself prepared and stayed ready,” Vargas said through a translator.
“I knew the Pirates had several lefties in the bullpen and the opportunity might be there, and I was called upon and I was very happy to get the job done.”
Chapman, who had been a key part of the Pirates’ bullpen, has been used as a closer-by-committee since David Bednar was removed from that role last week.
“He was a big part of our bullpen and has been a big part,” Pirates manager Derek Shelton said of Chapman, a six-time All-Star. “We’ve got to get him to a point where he’s right and executing because when he’s right, I think we’ve seen he’s been really elite.”
Robert Garcia (3-5) earned the win by getting two outs, and Kyle Finnegan picked up his second save of the day and 36th of the season with a perfect ninth inning.
Finnegan was one of four Nationals relievers who pitched in both games of the doubleheader.
“I think it’s more about the mental side than the physical side,” said right-hander Derek Law about pitching twice in one day. “We handle many of our appearances and innings from the bullpen. As a group, we take pride in being prepared.”
Rookie Andres Chaparro contributed three hits, including his fourth home run, and had three RBIs for the Nationals, who have now won six of their last eight games. Keibert Ruiz also added three hits.
For Pittsburgh, Isiah Kiner-Falefa had three hits, including a go-ahead single in the eighth inning. Bryan Reynolds made it 6-4 with a fielder’s choice that brought in Joey Bart.
Pirates starter Mitch Keller pitched six innings, giving up two runs. He struck out eight and didn’t issue any walks.
Keller had struggled in his previous five starts, going 1-4 with a 7.46 ERA. Nationals rookie left-hander Mitchell Parker allowed four runs and six hits in 3 1/3 innings.
DJ Herz (3-7) was taken out after 87 pitches in the first game. He struck out five and walked three in his first win since August 3. Manager Dave Martinez decided not to let Herz go further, as he has pitched a career-high 114 1/3 innings this season between the majors and minors.
“I totally understand, and I agree with it,” Herz said about being removed from the game. “I just keep pitching as long as they keep me out there and then we go from there. I understand what they are doing.”
Dylan Crews hit a solo home run in the second inning against Luis Ortiz (6-5) for his third homer since being called up from Triple-A Rochester last month. Crews also had a run-scoring double in a two-run sixth inning that gave the Nationals a 4-0 lead.
“(Ortiz) obviously has a great arm and you’ve got to beat him to the fastball,” Crews said. “That’s what I was trying to do, and it felt good. It felt like, as a team, we were making solid contact.”
Robert Garcia replaced Herz and retired five straight batters before Nick Gonzales broke up the no-hit bid with a single into center field with two outs in the seventh.
