WASHINGTON (Interstat) — Braxton Ashcraft pitched 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Washington Nationals 7-1 on Saturday afternoon at Nationals Park before 28,125.

Ashcraft (9-3) allowed six hits and struck out seven in the win. He got support from a four-run second inning, highlighted by Henry Davis’ RBI single and Brandon Lowe’s two-run single. Nick Gonzales added two hits and a run-scoring single in the eighth, and Davis also walked in a run later.

Washington took a 1-0 lead in the first on James Wood’s solo home run. Pirates starter Ashcraft settled in after that, while Pittsburgh’s bullpen of Cam Sanders, Dennis Santana, Yohan Ramírez and Mason Montgomery combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing no hits and striking out three.

Nationals starter Carson Palmquist (0-1) took the loss, surrendering five runs on eight hits over four innings. Zack Littell threw six innings of relief, allowing one earned run.

The Pirates improved to 45-45, while the Nationals fell to 46-44. The two teams conclude their series Sunday.