The Pirates partially made up for two losses by earning a split with the Nationals via a 10-2 win on Sunday afternoon. Fans also learned on Sunday that closer Joel Hanrahan was selected as the Pirates' lone All-Star game representative, although Kevin Correia could end up joining him.
The game was never really in doubt, as the Bucs scored eight runs in the first two innings on their way to the big win. Every Pirates starter had a hit other than Brandon Wood who was 0-for-5. Andrew McCutchen continued his hot series with three more hits Sunday. After the four-game series, his average has risen to nearly .300.
Kevin Correia produced yet another effective start, getting his 11th win on the season. He gave up two runs over six innings and Danny Moskos and the recently recalled Chris Leroux pitched three scoreless innings to seal the victory.
Pittsburgh is now back to two games over .500 and is returning home for a series against the last-place Houston Astros. All in all, the series has to be considered at least a mild disappointment. The Pirates held leads in the two games they lost and could be in first-place in the NL Central had they swept the Nationals. Still, sitting only 1 1/2 games out of first place isn't all that bad.