PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 18 - ​The Washington Nationals lost yesterday's series finale to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a disappointing but uneventful matchup. A bounceback start from Trevor Williams was marred by the Nats' lack of offense as they struggled against Andrew Heaney.​

Williams took the bump for Washington, and after a series of rough starts to open the season, the right-hander seemed to have things under control. However, the game’s only run came on the very first pitch thrown by Williams, when Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz launched a towering 442-foot home run to right-center field. It was Cruz’s fourth homer of the season and second in as many games, following his grand slam the night before. It really just proved the Nationals’ bad luck lately, as ESPN reported that it marked just the second time since 1900 that the Pirates won a game 1-0 on a leadoff home run, the last instance being in 1993. ​Williams settled in after the leadoff home run, allowing only three hits and striking out five over five innings. He issued three walks but kept the Nationals within striking distance. The bullpen duo of Lucas Sims and Jose A. Ferrer locked the Pirates down for three scoreless innings, giving up just two hits and striking out four. ​

Offensively, Washington was destroyed throughout the afternoon. Heaney had his absolute best stuff, allowing five hits over 7 1/3 innings while striking out four and walking two. He induced 10 groundouts and allowed only one extra-base hit, which was a double by Nathaniel Lowe in the sixth inning. Ryan Borucki and Dennis Santana closed out the game, with Santana earning his second save of the season. ​The Nationals had their best scoring opportunity in the eighth inning when Nasim Nuñez led off with a walk, and Alex Call bunted him to second. After a sacrifice bunt moved him to second, James Wood grounded out, getting Nuñez to third, but Amed Rosario grounded out to end the threat. In total, Washington went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base. ​With the loss, the Nationals fell to 7-12 on the season and 2-8 on the road. They dropped three of four games in the series against Pittsburgh. The Pirates improved to 8-12 and have now won two straight games. ​

Up next…

Dave Martinez will return from his suspension tonight in Colorado, as MacKenzie Gore faces off against Chase Dollander. After being shut out, the Nationals will hope to explode tonight in one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks in baseball.