Overview

• Oneil Cruz hit a leadoff home run, his second in as many games, to provide the only run in the Pirates' 1-0 win over the Nationals on Thursday.
• Andrew Heaney pitched 7⅓ scoreless innings, allowing five hits and striking out four, as the Pirates recorded their first shutout of the season.
• The victory follows a 6-1 win on Wednesday, highlighted by Cruz's first career grand slam and Bailey Falter's seven scoreless innings.
• A bench-clearing incident on Wednesday led to suspensions for Nationals pitcher Jorge López (three games) and manager Dave Martinez (one game).
• The Pirates, now leading MLB in starts of six innings or more, have rebounded from a 2-7 start to win three of their last four games.