James Wood singles to score automatic runner in the 10th, Nationals beat Pirates 8-7

PITTSBURGH (AP) — James Wood singled to score automatic runner Jorbit Vivas in the 10th inning and the Washington Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-7 on Thursday.

Reliever Clayton Beeter (1-0) got his first career win despite giving up the ninth-inning run that sent the game to an extra inning. Brandon Lowe hit an infield single to score Jake Mangum, who Beeter walked.

Dennis Santana (2-1) pitched the top of the 10th for the Pirates.

Orlando Ribalta earned his first career save.

The Nationals scored four runs in the top of the fifth inning. Rookie shortstop Konnor Griffin had a throwing error that scored the first three. Luis García Jr. grounded into a fielder's choice and Griffin was unable to tag second in time before he threw wildly to first base. Drew Millas, Vivas and Nasim Nuñez all scored.

The Pirates challenged Nuñez's slide to second for any illegal contact, but the call was upheld.

Garcia scored on a throwing error by Braxton Ashcraft.

The Pirates responded in the bottom of the inning with four runs of their own. Oneil Cruz hit a double to score Billy Cook, and then Marcell Ozuna hit a three-run home run.

Joey Wiemer doubled in the sixth to break the tie for the Nationals.

Griffin hit his first career triple in the sixth to score a run.

Nationals: Zack Littell (0-1, 4.20) starts against the San Francisco Giants' Logan Webb (1-2 5.25 ERA) to open a three-game series.

Pirates: Bubba Chandler (0-1, 3.86) starts against the Tampa Bay Rays' Nick Martinez (0-0, 2.16).

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Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart gets the force out at home plate on Washington Nationals' Brady House (12) during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Washington Nationals' James Wood singles off Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Dennis Santana, driving in a run, during the 10th inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Washington Nationals pitcher Orlando Ribaita, right, celebrates with catcher Keibert Ruiz after getting the final out of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Washington Nationals' Jorbit Vivas, left, slides into home as Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Joey Bart, right, waits for a late relay throw on a single by Nationals' James Wood off Pirates pitcher Dennis Santana during the 10th inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, April 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Austin Riley hit a three-run homer in the second inning and a solo shot in the ninth, Martin Perez pitched six innings and the Atlanta Braves' routed the Philadelphia Phillies 9-0 on Friday night.

Dominic Smith and Michael Harris II also homered to help NL East-leading Atlanta improve to 13-7 with its third straight victory.

Perez (1-1) was designated for assignment Sunday then signed a minor league deal Wednesday. He limited the Phillies to four hits, and José Suarez gave up two hits in the final three innings in picking up his first save.

Phillies starter Taijuan Walker (1-3) allowed seven runs in four innings.

The Braves loaded the bases in the first on leadoff hitter Ronald Acuna Jr.'s walk, Drake Baldwin's single and Matt Olson's walk. Ozzie Albies drove in Acuna with a groundout, and Mike Yastrzemski had an infield single off Walker’s leg to make it 2-0.

Olson had an RBI single in the second, and Walker upped it to 6-0 with two outs with his three-run shot to right-center.

Braves left-hander Chris Sale (3-1. 3.27 ERA) was set to start Saturday night against the Phillies’ Cristopher Sanchez (2-1, 2.01).

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Atlanta Braves pitcher José Suarez reacts after a winning baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. scores past Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto off of a hit by teammate Ozzie Albies during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Otto Kemp catches a line out by Atlanta Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Atlanta Braves' Ozzie Albies hits a one-run single off of Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Taijuan Walker during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

Atlanta Braves' Martin Perez pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies, Friday, April 17, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)