Nationals Roll Over Pirates, 11-1

August 22, 2019 3:46 am

PITTSBURGH (AP) – Patrick Corbin pitched eight scoreless innings to remain unbeaten in more than two months, and Asdrubal Cabrera’s three-run home run capped a six-run third as the Washington Nationals rolled to an 11-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.  Corbin (10-5) struck out four and walked two while throwing 93 pitches to help the Nationals maintain their lead atop the National League wild-card standings.  Signed to a six-year, $140-million contract in free agency in December, Corbin has not lost since June 11. The left-hander is 5-0 with a 2.12 ERA in 12 starts since then.  Joe Musgrove (8-12) gave up six runs and seven hits in five innings as Pittsburgh lost for the 29th time in 37 games since the All-Star break.  Adam Eaton opened the scoring in the third with an RBI double and Anthony Rendon followed with a two-run single, giving him 100 RBIs. Following a walk to Juan Soto, Cabrera hit a drive to straightaway center field to make it 6-0.  It was Cabrera’s second home run since being claimed Aug. 6 off waivers from the Texas Rangers and 14th overall. He was filling in at second base for Brian Dozier, who is on paternity leave.  Corbin retired 11 batters in a row until Jacob Stallings and Erik Gonzalez hit consecutive singles with one out in the fifth inning. However, Corbin escaped the jam by getting pinch-hitter Melky Cabrera to fly out and Kevin Newman to ground out.  Washington added three runs in the eighth when Yan Gomes hit a two-run double and scored on a double by Corbin. In the ninth, pinch-hitter Adrian Sanchez and Trea Turner hit back-to-back RBI singles.  Josh Bell’s run-scoring double in the ninth prevented the Pirates from being shut out.