Andrew McCutchen and James McDonald helped the Pirates split a two game series tonight. Cutch had two solo home runs and James McDonald struck out eleven batters and picked up the win. JMac took a no hitter into the sixth inning and was pulled after 5.2 innings pitched, while allowing three runs. He set his career high in strikeouts and with the exception of his sixth inning, looked fantastic. Tony Watson, Juan Cruz, Jason Grilli, and Joel Hanrahan all did a great job shutting the game down as Watson was able to get out of JMac's inning by getting Bryce Harper to pop out. Hanrahan converted his eighth save and Watson, Cruz, and Grilli all picked up holds.
Andrew McCutchen continued his unreal hitting against the Nationals by hitting two home runs tonight. His home runs came in the first and sixth innings. Barajas finished the night with his first three-hit game with the Pirates, including his third home run of the season, a two run shot off of Jordan Zimmerman (who allowed all three home runs). Josh Harrison kept his hot bat alive with two hits.
Interleague weekend starts tomorrow night as the Pirates are set to face AL MVP Justin Verlander in Detroit.