Pirates 5 - 3 Nationals
Final
  for this game

Pirates, Nats play two in DC

Jul 2, 2011 - 2:43 PM (Sports Network) - The winning feeling never goes away, not even for 68-year- old Davey Johnson, who picked up his initial victory as Nationals manager last night.

Today, Johnson will have an opportunity to see Washington move back over .500 as the Nationals host the Pirates in a doubleheader.

Last night, pinch-hitter Matt Stairs singled in Alex Cora with the winning run with one out in the ninth inning, as Washington topped Pittsburgh, 2-1, to begin a four-game set. Stairs entered the game 4-for-32 as a pinch-hitter this season, but singled to right field to plate the winning run.

Johnson had lost his first three contests with the Nationals after taking the reins of a team that was above .500, but they were swept in a series against the Angels.

"This became an all-time memory right now," said Johnson, who wore an MLB uniform for the first time since 2000, when his last managerial stint with the Dodgers ended. "My first win, 11 years in the big leagues to get that win, here in front of the home crowd, it was something special."

Roger Bernadina added a homer in the effort, as the Nats snapped their three- game skid.

Tom Gorzelanny dazzled Pittsburgh hitters over seven frames, giving up just six hits and one unearned run while fanning eight, but did not factor in the decision.

Drew Storen (5-2) earned the win after tossing a perfect ninth.

Alex Presley doubled and accounted for Pittsburgh's lone run with an RBI groundout. The Pirates, who went hitless in 11 chances with men in scoring position, lost for the third time in five games.

"He made pitches, especially with runners in scoring position," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said of Gorzelanny. "We had multiple guys with shots at driving in that run, but he made pitches when he had to."

The Nationals will have veteran Livan Hernandez pitching the day portion of the twinbill. He's 2-0 over his last three starts and has looked impressive in those victories, allowing a total of one run. Hernandez is coming off a 6 2/3 inning solid effort against the White Sox on Sunday when he piled up nine strikeouts.

Hernandez has fashioned a 5-6 record with a 5.55 ERA in 17 games against the Pirates.

John Lannan, the owner of a three-decision winning streak, toes the rubber in the night game for the Nats. The lefty hasn't lost in his last seven outings and last tasted defeat on May 21 at Baltimore. Since that time, Lannan has been spectacular. His ERA is an astounding 1.61 over his unbeaten string.

Lannan didn't get a decision on Monday against the Angels after yielding 11 hits and three runs over 5 2/3 innings. He's just 1-4 with a 4.63 ERA in eight lifetime games vs. Pittsburgh.

The Bucs send James McDonald to the hill in the opener. He's won five of his last seven decisions after losing his first two to start the season. The right-hander is 2-0 over his last four appearances. McDonald threw six innings in a no-decision against the Red Sox last Sunday. He's 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA in three games against the Nationals.

Brad Lincoln is expected to be recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis to start the night game for Pittsburgh. It will be his first outing for the parent club in 2011. He went 1-4 with a gaudy 6.66 ERA in 11 games (9 starts last season).

Lincoln has struggled at the Triple-A level this season with a 6-7 mark and a 4.14 ERA in 14 games. His first appearance in the majors came against the Nats June 9 last year when he pitched six innings in a no-decision in the nation's capital.

The Nationals lead the season series, 3-2. Washington has taken 10 of the last 13 in this series.






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