SB Nation Pittsburgh - Pirates Vs. Nationals: Bucs' Offense Explodes In 10-2 Routhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48827/pitt-fv.png2011-07-04T00:40:29-04:00http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/rss/stream/20219462011-07-04T00:40:29-04:002011-07-04T00:40:29-04:00Pirates Vs. Nationals: Bucs' Offense Explodes In 10-2 Rout
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<p>The <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pirates</a> partially made up for two losses by earning a split with the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Nationals</a> via a 10-2 win on Sunday afternoon. Fans also learned on Sunday that closer <span>Joel Hanrahan</span> was <a href="http://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/pittsburgh-pirates/2011/7/3/2257327/andrew-mccutchen-snubbed-2011-mlb-all-star-game-joel-hanrahan-Pittsburgh-Pirates-Yankees-Roster" target="_blank">selected as the Pirates' lone All-Star game representative</a>, although Kevin Correia could end up joining him.</p>
<p>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 <span>Brandon Wood</span> who was 0-for-5. <span>Andrew McCutchen</span> continued his hot series with three more hits Sunday. After the four-game series, his average has risen to nearly .300.</p>
<p><span>Kevin Correia</span> 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 <span>Chris Leroux</span> pitched three scoreless innings to seal the victory.</p>
<p>Pittsburgh is now back to two games over .500 and is returning home for a series against the last-place <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Astros</a>. 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.</p>
https://pittsburgh.sbnation.com/2011/7/4/2337439/pirates-vs-nationals-bucs-offense-explodes-in-10-2-routAnson Whaley