Bucs Take It To Last Strike In 4-1, Never-Say-Die Win

First; the lineup is not as we posted. Cutch was bugged by a sore foot caused by a foul ball last night and was a late scratch. Jordan Luplow was added, penciled in at cleanup and J-Bell slid into the three-hole. Max Scherzer was doing Max Scherzer things to the Pirates; Jamo had one burp when a single, wild pitch (likelier a passed ball), single sequence cost him a cheap run. In the fourth, Scherzer stopping in mid-motion. It was a cold night, and he appeared to have a tight hammy. With the playoffs around the bend, he wisely pulled himself and AJ Cole took the ball. The pitching remained rock solid; it was still 1-0 after seven. The Pirates had one hit by Mad Max, though they did strand leadoff walks at third in the sixth and seventh frames, while the Nats managed four raps.

Jamo finishes on a high note (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Enny Romero took over for Cole in the eighth and George Kontos did the same for Jamo each continuing the string of zeroes. Brandon Kintzler got the ninth inning wave and gave up an infield knock to Starling that required review (he beat the rap) to pass muster. An out later, J-Lup singled him up a station. With two gone and two strikes, S-Rod's rap to left tied the game. The Bucs put runners on second and third after the throw home, and a walk to Eli packed the sacks. Mad Max, the only Bucco on speaking terms with the basepaths tonight, unpacked them them with a triple. Dusty brought in Sammy Solis a batter late (thank you, Mr. Baker) to get the final out. Nine pitches later, Felipe Rivero had his 21st save and the Bucs had a rare road kill. The pitching has been pretty good for the Pirates this month and the players still grind to the end, so you can't ask for much more with one breath left to the season.

Felipe nailed down save #21 in 23 opps (photo Pittsburgh Pirates)

Notes:

• Max had two hits and two walks; the only other Pirate to reach base twice was J-Bell, who earned a pair of free passes.
• Jamo didn't waste his last two outings. After a good show last time out, he went seven innings tonight, giving up a run on four hits with a walk, wild pitch and five K after serving 92 pitches.
• Congrats - Josh and Brittney Harrison had their second child late last night when Kinsli Rose Harrison entered the world.