Game 90: Pirates at Nats

The Nationals are hoping to remain red-hot on a scorching Independence Day in the nation's capital

It was a red-hot Friday night at Nationals Park, and I’m not referring to the gametime temperature of 100 degrees (one shy of the club record set in both 2011 and 2012). The Nats lineup, of course, was potent as ever, hitting five home runs (two a piece from Luis Garcia Jr. and Daylen Lile, plus one from Jose Tena) during a 9-5 victory over the Pirates.

And so the Nationals are back to three games over .500 at 46-43 as they reach Independence Day in our nation’s capital. It’s a big day here, but it’s also going to be another dangerously hot day. And as they’ve done every July 4 since 2012, they’re set to play this morning at 11:05 a.m.

Zack Littell was the scheduled starter, but Blake Butera has decided to go with Carson Palmquist as the opener. Palmquist can certainly go more than one inning if needed before handing the ball over, but we’ll see how that plays out. Once Littell enters the game, you know the key: Keep the ball in the park. He’s 7-1 with three no-decisions this season when allowing zero or one home run. And he’s 0-5 with one no-decision when he allows two or more.

The Pirates send talented young right-hander Braxton Ashcraft to the mound this morning. The 26-year-old boasts an 8-3 record, 3.33 ERA and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings in 17 starts this season. The Nats faced him back in April, and though it took a little while, they did get to him for five runs after the fourth inning.

Hope everybody enjoys a safe holiday whether here at the ballpark or elsewhere. And be sure to check back this evening for the official announcement of All-Star rosters!

PITTSBURGH PIRATES at WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Where: Nationals Park
Gametime: 11:05 a.m. EDT
TV: Nationals TV (channel listings)
Radio: 106.7 FM
Weather: Mostly sunny, 95 degrees, 5 mph out to right

PIRATES
SS Konnor Griffin
2B Brandon Lowe
LF Bryan Reynolds
RF Esmerlyn Valdez
DH Ryan O’Hearn
3B Nick Gonzales
CF Jake Mangum
1B Tyler Callihan
C Henry Davis

RHP Brandon Ashcraft

NATIONALS
RF James Wood
1B Luis García Jr.
3B Curtis Mead
SS CJ Abrams
LF Daylen Lile
CF Dylan Crews
DH Jose Tena
CF Jacob Young
C Drew Millas
2B Nasim Nuñez

LHP Carson Palmquist