PITTSBURGH (AP) — Paul Skenes allowed one hit in six strong innings and Brandon Lowe homered for the third time in two games, driving in five runs as the Pittsburgh Pirates steamrolled the Washington Nationals 16-5 to begin a four-game series. Skenes struck out six and walked one while improving to 7-1 in his last 11 home starts. The only run he gave up came on a first-inning homer by CJ Abrams. Lowe became the first Pirates player to knock in at least five runs in consecutive games since RBIs became an official statistic in 1920. Spencer Horwitz also homered for Pittsburgh.