Washington Nationals Defeat Pittsburgh Pirates in 10-Inning Thriller The Washington Nationals secured an 8-7 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates in a tightly contested game on Thursday, April 16, 2026. The contest, which stretched into the 10th inning, featured dramatic plays, clutch performances, and a decisive moment in the final frame that sealed the win for the Nationals. The game took an early turn in the top of the fifth inning when the Nationals erupted for four runs. Rookie Konnor Griffin, making his MLB debut, committed a throwing error that allowed three runs to score. Luis García Jr. later grounded into a fielder’s choice, and Griffin’s failed attempt to tag second base resulted in a wild throw to first, enabling Drew Millas, Jorbit Vivas, and Nasim Nuñez to cross the plate. Despite a Pirates challenge questioning Nuñez’s slide for illegal contact, the call was upheld, leaving the Nationals with a 4-0 lead. The Pirates responded in the bottom of the fifth with four runs of their own. Oneil Cruz doubled to plate Billy Cook, and Marcell Ozuna followed with a three-run home run, evening the score at 4-4. The game remained tied until the sixth inning, when Joey Wiemer doubled to break the deadlock for the Nationals. Griffin added a career-high triple in the same inning, scoring a run and extending the Nationals’ lead to 6-4. The Pirates narrowed the gap in the seventh, but the Nationals’ bullpen held steady. Reliever Clayton Beeter, making his major league debut, pitched the top of the ninth and recorded his first career win despite allowing a run that sent the game into extra innings. Beeter walked Jake Mangum and then hit Brandon Lowe with an infield single, setting the stage for the dramatic 10th.#washington_nationals #pittsburgh_pirates #konnor_griffin #luis_garcia_jr #drew_millas
