Liriano sharp as Pirates drop Nationals 7

The Pirates hit three home runs, Francisco Liriano struck out 11 batters and the Pirates won the first game of their series against the Washington Nationals, 7-3, Thursday night.

Pittsburgh was outscored 19-3 while being swept by Washington in three games June 19-21 and is trying to end a seven-game losing streak in the series, though all but one of those defeats came at Nationals Park. Starling Marte leads Pittsburgh with 99 hits and 51 RBI while Andrew McCutchen and Neil Walker have combined for 96 RBI.

The Pirates own the second-best record in the National League, but the only team with a better record (and in fact the best record in the majors) is the St. Louis Cardinals, who lead the Pirates in the Central by six games. Liriano has posted a 1.86 ERA and 1.14 WHIP in three July starts to this point. X-rays and a Connecticut scan on Escobar’s left wrist were negative. All of those have resulted in Pirates victories, though Liriano himself has only gotten credit for two of the wins.

Ian Desmond had two of Washington’s six hits, including a two-run homer in the ninth.

Doug Fister (3-6) labored through five innings, giving up four runs and nine hits to drop his third straight decision.

This is the first time he’s been two games under. He threw 99 pitches over five innings.

Through four innings, Liriano held the Nationals without a hit.

Pedro Alvarez and McCutchen are 4 for 7 and 4 for 8 off Fister, respectively.