Pittsburgh Pirates vs Washington Nationals Box Score on May 03, 2018

The Nationals now have won five consecutive games. Pittsburgh has dropped four in a row, and the Pirates' problems in this series came mainly because they scored just 10 runs.

Washington used power for its offense in this game. Turner hit a two-run homer to left in the sixth, and Zimmerman added his solo shot two batters later.

Washington starter Jeremy Hellickson threw well but came away with a no-decision. The right-hander went 5 2/3 scoreless innings and gave up three hits with four strikeouts. Sammy Solis (1-1) got the victory after he got the final out of the top of the sixth -- throwing only one pitch.

Trevor Williams (4-2) pitched effectively for the seventh straight time this season but was hurt by the lack of run support. The Pittsburgh starter allowed just one hit and one walk through the first five innings until the Nationals broke through in that three-run sixth.

Wilmer Difo led off the inning with a single and then scored when Turner lined his two-run homer two batters later. That gave Washington a 2-0 lead, and Zimmerman added to that later in the inning with his solo blast.

Williams wound up charged with three runs on four hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Pittsburgh loaded the bases with one out in the eighth against Ryan Madson, but closer Sean Doolittle then came on. Gregory Polanco brought in one run by grounding into a forceout before Starling Marte flied out, and the Nationals escaped with a 3-1 lead.

Doolittle then set down the Pirates in the ninth and locked up his sixth save, this one being 1 2/3 innings.

MLB.com reported that Nationals reliever Shawn Kelley (ulnar nerve irritation) could return this weekend. He is eligible to come off the disabled list Friday.

Also for Washington, third baseman Anthony Rendon served as the DH for Class-A Advanced Potomac on Thursday night in his first rehab game. He has been out since April 13 with a bruised left big toe.

--Field Level Media