Another blown save: Chapman implodes, Pirates swept in doubleheader

Another blown save: Chapman implodes, Pirates swept in doubleheader Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton, center, bench coach Don Kelly, right, and hitting coach Andy Haines stand in the dugout during the second baseball game of a doubleheader against the Washington Nationals in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) (Gene J. Puskar/AP)

By Danny Demilio: PittsburghBaseballNOW.com

PITTSBURGH — This article originally appeared on PittsburghBaseballNOW.com.

Aroldis Chapman had the Washington Nationals down to their final strike, but Connor Joe couldn’t come up with a diving catch in right field with two runners on as the Pittsburgh Pirates were defeated 8-6 and swept in a doubleheader at PNC Park on Saturday.

Chapman (5-5) was tasked with protecting the Pirates’ 6-4 lead but surrendered four runs in the final frame. James Wood opened the scoring with an RBI single to bring the Nats (64-78) within a run.

With two outs and a full count, pinch-hitter Ildemaro Vargas hit a liner to right. It looked like Joe made the game-saving grab but the ball popped out of his glove upon impact with the ground, allowing two runs to score.

Keibert Ruiz added an insurance run for the Nationals with a double to left field, knocking Chapman out of the game.

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