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Deadspin | Blasts by Cody Bellinger, Jazz Chisholm Jr. help Yankees top Jays  May 18, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (4) hits a single against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images   Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a tiebreaking two-run homer with two outs in the seventh inning and David Bednar retired Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with two on in the ninth to secure the save as the host New York Yankees rallied and hung on for a 7-6 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.  Chisholm produced his fourth straight multi-hit game and snapped a 5-5 tie by poking a 2-1 splitter from Yariel Rodriguez off the middle of the left field foul pole.  Chisholm’s 339-foot opposite field drive occurred after Cody Bellinger hit a tying two-run homer off the top of the right-center-field fence that landed into the Yankees’ bullpen two batters earlier.  The homers by Chisholm and Bellinger helped the Yankees win for the third time in 10 games on a night when they faced a pair of two-run deficits.  The four-run seventh preceded a wobbly ninth by Bednar, who allowed a tying three-run homer to Tyrone Taylor in the Yankees’ Sunday loss to the Mets. Bednar allowed an RBI double to Jesus Sanchez but struck out George Springer after falling behind 3-0 and got Guerrero to ground out on a full count for his 11th save in 13 chances.  New York’s Paul Goldschmidt hit a leadoff home run and added a tying double in the fourth. J.C. Escarra lifted a sacrifice fly, and Aaron Judge singled ahead of Bellinger’s homer.   Ernie Clement and Springer homered off Ryan Weathers for the Blue Jays, who lost for the ninth time in 14 games and were unable to produce their third three-game winning streak of the season.  Clement gave the Blue Jays a 3-1 lead when he reached for Weathers’ 0-2 pitch that hovered over the plate in the fourth. Springer snapped a 3-3 tie in the fourth by lifting a 2-1 fastball into the visiting bullpen in left field.  Weathers allowed five runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. The left-hander struck out seven, walked none and was one strike away from getting out of the fourth before Clement connected.  Paul Blackburn (2-1) followed with 1 2/3 scoreless innings. New York’s Fernando Cruz struck out Daulton Varsho with a runner on in the eighth before Bednar’s escape act.  Toronto’s Patrick Corbin allowed three runs on six hits in four innings. He fanned three and walked three.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Blasts #Cody #Bellinger #Jazz #Chisholm #Yankees #top #Jays

Deadspin | Blasts by Cody Bellinger, Jazz Chisholm Jr. help Yankees top Jays
Deadspin | Blasts by Cody Bellinger, Jazz Chisholm Jr. help Yankees top Jays  May 18, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (4) hits a single against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images   Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a tiebreaking two-run homer with two outs in the seventh inning and David Bednar retired Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with two on in the ninth to secure the save as the host New York Yankees rallied and hung on for a 7-6 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.  Chisholm produced his fourth straight multi-hit game and snapped a 5-5 tie by poking a 2-1 splitter from Yariel Rodriguez off the middle of the left field foul pole.  Chisholm’s 339-foot opposite field drive occurred after Cody Bellinger hit a tying two-run homer off the top of the right-center-field fence that landed into the Yankees’ bullpen two batters earlier.  The homers by Chisholm and Bellinger helped the Yankees win for the third time in 10 games on a night when they faced a pair of two-run deficits.  The four-run seventh preceded a wobbly ninth by Bednar, who allowed a tying three-run homer to Tyrone Taylor in the Yankees’ Sunday loss to the Mets. Bednar allowed an RBI double to Jesus Sanchez but struck out George Springer after falling behind 3-0 and got Guerrero to ground out on a full count for his 11th save in 13 chances.  New York’s Paul Goldschmidt hit a leadoff home run and added a tying double in the fourth. J.C. Escarra lifted a sacrifice fly, and Aaron Judge singled ahead of Bellinger’s homer.   Ernie Clement and Springer homered off Ryan Weathers for the Blue Jays, who lost for the ninth time in 14 games and were unable to produce their third three-game winning streak of the season.  Clement gave the Blue Jays a 3-1 lead when he reached for Weathers’ 0-2 pitch that hovered over the plate in the fourth. Springer snapped a 3-3 tie in the fourth by lifting a 2-1 fastball into the visiting bullpen in left field.  Weathers allowed five runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. The left-hander struck out seven, walked none and was one strike away from getting out of the fourth before Clement connected.  Paul Blackburn (2-1) followed with 1 2/3 scoreless innings. New York’s Fernando Cruz struck out Daulton Varsho with a runner on in the eighth before Bednar’s escape act.  Toronto’s Patrick Corbin allowed three runs on six hits in four innings. He fanned three and walked three.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Blasts #Cody #Bellinger #Jazz #Chisholm #Yankees #top #JaysMay 18, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (4) hits a single against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a tiebreaking two-run homer with two outs in the seventh inning and David Bednar retired Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with two on in the ninth to secure the save as the host New York Yankees rallied and hung on for a 7-6 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Chisholm produced his fourth straight multi-hit game and snapped a 5-5 tie by poking a 2-1 splitter from Yariel Rodriguez off the middle of the left field foul pole.

Chisholm’s 339-foot opposite field drive occurred after Cody Bellinger hit a tying two-run homer off the top of the right-center-field fence that landed into the Yankees’ bullpen two batters earlier.

The homers by Chisholm and Bellinger helped the Yankees win for the third time in 10 games on a night when they faced a pair of two-run deficits.

The four-run seventh preceded a wobbly ninth by Bednar, who allowed a tying three-run homer to Tyrone Taylor in the Yankees’ Sunday loss to the Mets. Bednar allowed an RBI double to Jesus Sanchez but struck out George Springer after falling behind 3-0 and got Guerrero to ground out on a full count for his 11th save in 13 chances.


New York’s Paul Goldschmidt hit a leadoff home run and added a tying double in the fourth. J.C. Escarra lifted a sacrifice fly, and Aaron Judge singled ahead of Bellinger’s homer.

Ernie Clement and Springer homered off Ryan Weathers for the Blue Jays, who lost for the ninth time in 14 games and were unable to produce their third three-game winning streak of the season.

Clement gave the Blue Jays a 3-1 lead when he reached for Weathers’ 0-2 pitch that hovered over the plate in the fourth. Springer snapped a 3-3 tie in the fourth by lifting a 2-1 fastball into the visiting bullpen in left field.

Weathers allowed five runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. The left-hander struck out seven, walked none and was one strike away from getting out of the fourth before Clement connected.

Paul Blackburn (2-1) followed with 1 2/3 scoreless innings. New York’s Fernando Cruz struck out Daulton Varsho with a runner on in the eighth before Bednar’s escape act.

Toronto’s Patrick Corbin allowed three runs on six hits in four innings. He fanned three and walked three.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Blasts #Cody #Bellinger #Jazz #Chisholm #Yankees #top #Jays

May 18, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter George Springer (4) hits a single against the New York Yankees during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Jazz Chisholm Jr. hit a tiebreaking two-run homer with two outs in the seventh inning and David Bednar retired Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with two on in the ninth to secure the save as the host New York Yankees rallied and hung on for a 7-6 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays.

Chisholm produced his fourth straight multi-hit game and snapped a 5-5 tie by poking a 2-1 splitter from Yariel Rodriguez off the middle of the left field foul pole.

Chisholm’s 339-foot opposite field drive occurred after Cody Bellinger hit a tying two-run homer off the top of the right-center-field fence that landed into the Yankees’ bullpen two batters earlier.

The homers by Chisholm and Bellinger helped the Yankees win for the third time in 10 games on a night when they faced a pair of two-run deficits.

The four-run seventh preceded a wobbly ninth by Bednar, who allowed a tying three-run homer to Tyrone Taylor in the Yankees’ Sunday loss to the Mets. Bednar allowed an RBI double to Jesus Sanchez but struck out George Springer after falling behind 3-0 and got Guerrero to ground out on a full count for his 11th save in 13 chances.

New York’s Paul Goldschmidt hit a leadoff home run and added a tying double in the fourth. J.C. Escarra lifted a sacrifice fly, and Aaron Judge singled ahead of Bellinger’s homer.

Ernie Clement and Springer homered off Ryan Weathers for the Blue Jays, who lost for the ninth time in 14 games and were unable to produce their third three-game winning streak of the season.

Clement gave the Blue Jays a 3-1 lead when he reached for Weathers’ 0-2 pitch that hovered over the plate in the fourth. Springer snapped a 3-3 tie in the fourth by lifting a 2-1 fastball into the visiting bullpen in left field.

Weathers allowed five runs on seven hits in 5 1/3 innings. The left-hander struck out seven, walked none and was one strike away from getting out of the fourth before Clement connected.

Paul Blackburn (2-1) followed with 1 2/3 scoreless innings. New York’s Fernando Cruz struck out Daulton Varsho with a runner on in the eighth before Bednar’s escape act.

Toronto’s Patrick Corbin allowed three runs on six hits in four innings. He fanned three and walked three.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Blasts #Cody #Bellinger #Jazz #Chisholm #Yankees #top #Jays

Former Formula One world champion Damon Hill praised Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli as a special talent and backed him for the F1 drivers’ title this year.

“I think the favourite is Kimi because I think that he’s got the equipment. Mercedes has been the most consistent, and he’s got a points advantage, and I think that he’s still on a learning curve. So George (Russell) has got a mountain to climb, I think, to rein him in. I’m not saying he can’t do it, but I think from what I’ve seen this guy is something else. So we’ll see,” said Damon Hill ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.

Antonelli’s teammate Russell heads into his home race after winning the previous round in Austria last weekend, only his second of the year. Hill felt it should give the local lad a much-needed boost at a time when the crowd would have heightened expectations.

“George having got a win and closed the gap to Kimi, that’s going to be a positive for him and a massive relief because it was, as he said at one point, he didn’t know what to say. He was at a loss for words given the amount of bad luck he had, but he finally got a good victory; a genuine win, he got pole position and so forth. I think that’s going to restore some of his confidence,” the 1996 F1 champion added.

ALSO READ:Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin nightmare: How F1’s super project lost its way

When asked if Russell was a bit unsettled by Antonelli hogging all the attention when he won five races on the bounce, Hill remarked that it was something a driver has to deal with, even if he had been at a place for longer.

“When a driver is in a team, they can’t consider that they are the primary concern of that team. The problem with being a racing driver in our sport is that you’re not really part of the team. For the time you’re there, you’re part of the team, but you still have to prove yourself against the other guy. So you’re in a constant battle to establish your position,” remarked Hill.

(Fans can watch the British GP exclusively on FanCode)

Published on Jul 03, 2026

#Hes #World #Champion #Damon #Hill #backs #Antonelli #win #Drivers #title">“He’s just something else”: Former World Champion Damon Hill backs Antonelli to win F1 Drivers’ title  Former Formula One world champion Damon Hill praised Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli as a special talent and backed him for the F1 drivers’ title this year.“I think the favourite is Kimi because I think that he’s got the equipment. Mercedes has been the most consistent, and he’s got a points advantage, and I think that he’s still on a learning curve. So George (Russell) has got a mountain to climb, I think, to rein him in. I’m not saying he can’t do it, but I think from what I’ve seen this guy is something else. So we’ll see,” said Damon Hill ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.Antonelli’s teammate Russell heads into his home race after winning the previous round in Austria last weekend, only his second of the year. Hill felt it should give the local lad a much-needed boost at a time when the crowd would have heightened expectations.“George having got a win and closed the gap to Kimi, that’s going to be a positive for him and a massive relief because it was, as he said at one point, he didn’t know what to say. He was at a loss for words given the amount of bad luck he had, but he finally got a good victory; a genuine win, he got pole position and so forth. I think that’s going to restore some of his confidence,” the 1996 F1 champion added.ALSO READ:Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin nightmare: How F1’s super project lost its wayWhen asked if Russell was a bit unsettled by Antonelli hogging all the attention when he won five races on the bounce, Hill remarked that it was something a driver has to deal with, even if he had been at a place for longer.“When a driver is in a team, they can’t consider that they are the primary concern of that team. The problem with being a racing driver in our sport is that you’re not really part of the team. For the time you’re there, you’re part of the team, but you still have to prove yourself against the other guy. So you’re in a constant battle to establish your position,” remarked Hill.(Fans can watch the British GP exclusively on FanCode)Published on Jul 03, 2026  #Hes #World #Champion #Damon #Hill #backs #Antonelli #win #Drivers #title

Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin nightmare: How F1’s super project lost its way

When asked if Russell was a bit unsettled by Antonelli hogging all the attention when he won five races on the bounce, Hill remarked that it was something a driver has to deal with, even if he had been at a place for longer.

“When a driver is in a team, they can’t consider that they are the primary concern of that team. The problem with being a racing driver in our sport is that you’re not really part of the team. For the time you’re there, you’re part of the team, but you still have to prove yourself against the other guy. So you’re in a constant battle to establish your position,” remarked Hill.

(Fans can watch the British GP exclusively on FanCode)

Published on Jul 03, 2026

#Hes #World #Champion #Damon #Hill #backs #Antonelli #win #Drivers #title">“He’s just something else”: Former World Champion Damon Hill backs Antonelli to win F1 Drivers’ title

Former Formula One world champion Damon Hill praised Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli as a special talent and backed him for the F1 drivers’ title this year.

“I think the favourite is Kimi because I think that he’s got the equipment. Mercedes has been the most consistent, and he’s got a points advantage, and I think that he’s still on a learning curve. So George (Russell) has got a mountain to climb, I think, to rein him in. I’m not saying he can’t do it, but I think from what I’ve seen this guy is something else. So we’ll see,” said Damon Hill ahead of this weekend’s British Grand Prix.

Antonelli’s teammate Russell heads into his home race after winning the previous round in Austria last weekend, only his second of the year. Hill felt it should give the local lad a much-needed boost at a time when the crowd would have heightened expectations.

“George having got a win and closed the gap to Kimi, that’s going to be a positive for him and a massive relief because it was, as he said at one point, he didn’t know what to say. He was at a loss for words given the amount of bad luck he had, but he finally got a good victory; a genuine win, he got pole position and so forth. I think that’s going to restore some of his confidence,” the 1996 F1 champion added.

ALSO READ:Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin nightmare: How F1’s super project lost its way

When asked if Russell was a bit unsettled by Antonelli hogging all the attention when he won five races on the bounce, Hill remarked that it was something a driver has to deal with, even if he had been at a place for longer.

“When a driver is in a team, they can’t consider that they are the primary concern of that team. The problem with being a racing driver in our sport is that you’re not really part of the team. For the time you’re there, you’re part of the team, but you still have to prove yourself against the other guy. So you’re in a constant battle to establish your position,” remarked Hill.

(Fans can watch the British GP exclusively on FanCode)

Published on Jul 03, 2026

#Hes #World #Champion #Damon #Hill #backs #Antonelli #win #Drivers #title
Deadspin | Nationals’ Foster Griffin aims to continue recent success vs. Pirates  Jun 22, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Foster Griffin (22) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images   Washington Nationals starting pitcher Foster Griffin no longer has the high-velocity stuff that made him a first-round selection in the 2014 draft.  Instead, the 30-year-old left-hander is having a breakout season with a seven-pitch repertoire he will deploy when the Nationals open a three-game home series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.  A self-described “journeyman, four-A player spending time between Triple-A and the big leagues,” Griffin (8-2, 2.93 ERA) has learned to throttle back his approach and set up hitters.  “For me, I am not going for a strikeout from the start of the at-bat, I am letting it develop,” Griffin said. “If I get into an 0-2, 1-2 situation and I want to go for a kill count, and go for a swing and miss, I will. As soon as I get to even or behind, though, I am not really going for a punchout. I don’t want those free passes.”  On Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles, Griffin threw 112 pitches, allowing one unearned run on three hits and two walks while matching his career high with nine strikeouts. He didn’t factor into the decision as Washington earned a 4-3, 10-inning victory.  Griffin went 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA in five June starts. His only career start against the Pirates came on the road on April 16, a no-decision in which he gave up four runs on eight hits with one walk and seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.  Nationals manager Blake Butera has quickly developed belief in Griffin.  “I appreciate every time he’s on the mound,” Butera said. “We all have a ton of confidence in Foster. He pitches his tail off for us and leaves it all out there every single time.”  Washington had Thursday off after winning two of three games at Boston. The Nationals cruised to a 10-2 victory over the Red Sox on Wednesday behind James Wood’s 22nd home run, a three-run shot in the seventh. Andres Chaparro added a two-run bomb and Nasim Nunez hit a solo shot, the first homers of the season for both players.   The Pirates are set to counter with right-hander Mitch Keller (6-5, 4.87 ERA). After going 0-3 with an 8.25 ERA in his previous five starts, Keller earned his lone win of June on Sunday, a 9-4 home decision against the Cincinnati Reds. He allowed five hits and four runs (three earned) with one walk and four strikeouts.  Keller made his second straight six-inning start, and he feels things are pointed in the right direction.  “I’m starting to feel like I am getting in a little more of a rhythm,” Keller said. “Obviously, there’s still a lot more that I can clean up and just execute a little better.”  In eight career starts against Washington, Keller is 1-4 with a 5.31 ERA. He lost 5-4 to the Nationals on April 14 in Pittsburgh after yielding five runs on six hits and four walks with three strikeouts in four innings.  The Pirates’ offense is trending in the right direction. Rookie right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez continues to establish his place in the batting order.  Pittsburgh split a four-game road series against the Philadelphia Phillies this week, and Valdez was 2-for-4 with a run and three RBIs in a 6-1 win on Thursday.  Valdez homered in four consecutive games — including the series opener against the Phillies on Monday after going deep in each game of Pittsburgh’s previous three-game set against the Reds — a stretch that has highlighted his impressive start in the majors. Since his big league debut on May 22, Valdez has a .316 batting average, six homers and 15 RBIs in 19 games.  “The staff plays a big role,” Valdez said. “Even when you fail, they are right by your side. They bring the energy and give you the information you need to succeed.”  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Nationals #Foster #Griffin #aims #continue #success #PiratesJun 22, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Foster Griffin (22) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Foster Griffin no longer has the high-velocity stuff that made him a first-round selection in the 2014 draft.

Instead, the 30-year-old left-hander is having a breakout season with a seven-pitch repertoire he will deploy when the Nationals open a three-game home series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.

A self-described “journeyman, four-A player spending time between Triple-A and the big leagues,” Griffin (8-2, 2.93 ERA) has learned to throttle back his approach and set up hitters.

“For me, I am not going for a strikeout from the start of the at-bat, I am letting it develop,” Griffin said. “If I get into an 0-2, 1-2 situation and I want to go for a kill count, and go for a swing and miss, I will. As soon as I get to even or behind, though, I am not really going for a punchout. I don’t want those free passes.”

On Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles, Griffin threw 112 pitches, allowing one unearned run on three hits and two walks while matching his career high with nine strikeouts. He didn’t factor into the decision as Washington earned a 4-3, 10-inning victory.

Griffin went 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA in five June starts. His only career start against the Pirates came on the road on April 16, a no-decision in which he gave up four runs on eight hits with one walk and seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.

Nationals manager Blake Butera has quickly developed belief in Griffin.

“I appreciate every time he’s on the mound,” Butera said. “We all have a ton of confidence in Foster. He pitches his tail off for us and leaves it all out there every single time.”


Washington had Thursday off after winning two of three games at Boston. The Nationals cruised to a 10-2 victory over the Red Sox on Wednesday behind James Wood’s 22nd home run, a three-run shot in the seventh. Andres Chaparro added a two-run bomb and Nasim Nunez hit a solo shot, the first homers of the season for both players.

The Pirates are set to counter with right-hander Mitch Keller (6-5, 4.87 ERA). After going 0-3 with an 8.25 ERA in his previous five starts, Keller earned his lone win of June on Sunday, a 9-4 home decision against the Cincinnati Reds. He allowed five hits and four runs (three earned) with one walk and four strikeouts.

Keller made his second straight six-inning start, and he feels things are pointed in the right direction.

“I’m starting to feel like I am getting in a little more of a rhythm,” Keller said. “Obviously, there’s still a lot more that I can clean up and just execute a little better.”

In eight career starts against Washington, Keller is 1-4 with a 5.31 ERA. He lost 5-4 to the Nationals on April 14 in Pittsburgh after yielding five runs on six hits and four walks with three strikeouts in four innings.

The Pirates’ offense is trending in the right direction. Rookie right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez continues to establish his place in the batting order.

Pittsburgh split a four-game road series against the Philadelphia Phillies this week, and Valdez was 2-for-4 with a run and three RBIs in a 6-1 win on Thursday.

Valdez homered in four consecutive games — including the series opener against the Phillies on Monday after going deep in each game of Pittsburgh’s previous three-game set against the Reds — a stretch that has highlighted his impressive start in the majors. Since his big league debut on May 22, Valdez has a .316 batting average, six homers and 15 RBIs in 19 games.

“The staff plays a big role,” Valdez said. “Even when you fail, they are right by your side. They bring the energy and give you the information you need to succeed.”


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Nationals #Foster #Griffin #aims #continue #success #Pirates">Deadspin | Nationals’ Foster Griffin aims to continue recent success vs. Pirates  Jun 22, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher Foster Griffin (22) pitches against the Philadelphia Phillies during the seventh inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images   Washington Nationals starting pitcher Foster Griffin no longer has the high-velocity stuff that made him a first-round selection in the 2014 draft.  Instead, the 30-year-old left-hander is having a breakout season with a seven-pitch repertoire he will deploy when the Nationals open a three-game home series against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday.  A self-described “journeyman, four-A player spending time between Triple-A and the big leagues,” Griffin (8-2, 2.93 ERA) has learned to throttle back his approach and set up hitters.  “For me, I am not going for a strikeout from the start of the at-bat, I am letting it develop,” Griffin said. “If I get into an 0-2, 1-2 situation and I want to go for a kill count, and go for a swing and miss, I will. As soon as I get to even or behind, though, I am not really going for a punchout. I don’t want those free passes.”  On Saturday against the Baltimore Orioles, Griffin threw 112 pitches, allowing one unearned run on three hits and two walks while matching his career high with nine strikeouts. He didn’t factor into the decision as Washington earned a 4-3, 10-inning victory.  Griffin went 2-0 with a 1.15 ERA in five June starts. His only career start against the Pirates came on the road on April 16, a no-decision in which he gave up four runs on eight hits with one walk and seven strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings.  Nationals manager Blake Butera has quickly developed belief in Griffin.  “I appreciate every time he’s on the mound,” Butera said. “We all have a ton of confidence in Foster. He pitches his tail off for us and leaves it all out there every single time.”  Washington had Thursday off after winning two of three games at Boston. The Nationals cruised to a 10-2 victory over the Red Sox on Wednesday behind James Wood’s 22nd home run, a three-run shot in the seventh. Andres Chaparro added a two-run bomb and Nasim Nunez hit a solo shot, the first homers of the season for both players.   The Pirates are set to counter with right-hander Mitch Keller (6-5, 4.87 ERA). After going 0-3 with an 8.25 ERA in his previous five starts, Keller earned his lone win of June on Sunday, a 9-4 home decision against the Cincinnati Reds. He allowed five hits and four runs (three earned) with one walk and four strikeouts.  Keller made his second straight six-inning start, and he feels things are pointed in the right direction.  “I’m starting to feel like I am getting in a little more of a rhythm,” Keller said. “Obviously, there’s still a lot more that I can clean up and just execute a little better.”  In eight career starts against Washington, Keller is 1-4 with a 5.31 ERA. He lost 5-4 to the Nationals on April 14 in Pittsburgh after yielding five runs on six hits and four walks with three strikeouts in four innings.  The Pirates’ offense is trending in the right direction. Rookie right fielder Esmerlyn Valdez continues to establish his place in the batting order.  Pittsburgh split a four-game road series against the Philadelphia Phillies this week, and Valdez was 2-for-4 with a run and three RBIs in a 6-1 win on Thursday.  Valdez homered in four consecutive games — including the series opener against the Phillies on Monday after going deep in each game of Pittsburgh’s previous three-game set against the Reds — a stretch that has highlighted his impressive start in the majors. Since his big league debut on May 22, Valdez has a .316 batting average, six homers and 15 RBIs in 19 games.  “The staff plays a big role,” Valdez said. “Even when you fail, they are right by your side. They bring the energy and give you the information you need to succeed.”  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Nationals #Foster #Griffin #aims #continue #success #Pirates

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