PITTSBURGH (AP) — Josh Palacios hit a two-run homer against his former team, Bailey Falter pitched six efficient innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Washington Nationals 5-1. Palacios gave the Pirates a 2-0 lead in the second with his eighth home run. Falter allowed one run and four hits with four strikeouts and a walk in his first start since Aug. 27. He threw 44 of 67 pitches for strikes. The left-hander improved to 2-1 in eight games, including five starts, with Pittsburgh since being acquired from Philadelphia at the Aug. 1 trade deadline. The Pirates have nine wins in their last 14 games. Pittsburgh won this one despite going 2 for 12 with runners in scoring position and stranding 15 overall.