The Pittsburgh Pirates suffered their first loss of the season in a 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Washington Nationals on Wednesday night. The Nationals’ dominance on the mound saw them strike out 13 Pirates batters, with five of those strikeouts coming from called third strikes. The game also saw Pirates manager Derek Shelton ejected by home plate umpire Mike Muchlinski after a controversial call against Bryan Reynolds.

The Nationals took an early lead, scoring four runs in the second inning off Pirates’ starting pitcher Mitch Keller. Keller, who struggled to find his rhythm, allowed four earned runs on eight hits and two walks over 5 1/3 innings. He also conceded a home run to Joey Gallo and three doubles to Luis Garcia Jr., contributing to the Nationals’ offensive prowess.

On the opposing mound, Trevor Williams, a former Pirates pitcher, showcased his skills by limiting the Pirates to just two runs on three hits and two walks over 5 1/3 innings. Williams effectively utilized a combination of pitches, including a four-seam fastball, changeup, slider, and sinker, to keep the Pirates’ offense in check.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton acknowledged the team’s lack of sharpness, attributing the loss to Keller leaving balls up and the team’s inability to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Despite the defeat, the Pirates’ 5-1 start to the season marks their best since 1983.

With this loss, the Pirates’ record now stands at 5-1, while the Detroit Tigers remain the only undefeated team in MLB with a 4-0 record. The Pirates will look to regroup and bounce back as they continue their campaign in the competitive MLB season.