WASHINGTON — The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Washington Nationals 11-5 on Sunday, July 5, 2026. The Pirates secured the win with an eighth-inning rally.

Konnor Griffin hit a two-run single in the eighth inning, giving the Pirates a 6-4 lead. Brandon Lowe followed this with a three-run home run off Nationals pitcher Brad Lord in the same inning. Gregory Soto received the win in relief for the Pirates, while Lord took the loss for the Nationals.

The Pirates initially held a 4-0 lead before the Nationals tied the game. Bryan Reynolds hit a home run for Pittsburgh. For Washington, Luis García Jr. and Dylan Crews each hit a home run. Cade Cavalli started for the Nationals, allowing three earned runs and six hits over 2 1/3 innings.

Pittsburgh's early scoring included a two-run single by Tyler Callihan in the second inning. Jake Mangum also singled in the second inning, scoring Callihan. Bubba Chandler started for the Pirates and allowed four runs over four-plus innings.

In the ninth inning, Henry Davis hit a two-run single for the Pirates. Griffin contributed defensively, making a diving stop on a grounder by Curtis Mead in the third inning, though Mead still reached base on an infield single. Griffin also made a diving, backhanded catch on a popup by Keibert Ruiz in the fourth inning and a sliding catch in the outfield in the fifth inning. James Wood hit a sacrifice fly in the fifth inning for the Nationals, scoring a run.

Griffin stole a base in the third inning, marking his 20th stolen base in his 59th career game. The 20-year-old had signed a nine-year, $140 million contract in April 2026. Following this game, the Pirates' record stood at 46-45. Sources said in a podcast interview that the team won two of three games against the Nationals in the series.