North Shore Nine

The Pirates jumped the Nationals with a three-spot in the first… and then the bats went quiet. In a 4–3 loss that felt all too familiar, Pittsburgh let opportunities slip with shaky fundamentals and spotty focus. Oneil Cruz had some loud swings but a costly base running lapse headlined the miscues, while a questionable effort play from Bryan Reynolds became a flashpoint in our postgame breakdown. It’s not just one night—it’s the ongoing question of accountability and attention to detail under Don Kelly compared to the Derek Shelton era.

There were bright spots. Mike Burrows flashed a legit bat-missing changeup and looked composed early, a reminder of the ceiling that made him a name to watch before injuries. Justin Lawrence also returned with nasty movement and late life, giving the bullpen a different look we haven’t had most of the year. Those individual wins matter as the Pirates try to piece together a staff identity, but they only count if the everyday fundamentals keep up.

Ultimately, the Pirates squandered a winnable game and the series to Washington—another night where the margin came down to focus, execution, and doing the little things right. That’s the theme, and until it changes, results like this will keep showing up.

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