Ke’Bryan Hayes hits walk-off single to lead Pirates to 4-3 win over Nationals

Ke’Bryan Hayes hasn’t been as sharp offensively this season as maybe some have hoped, but he’s still made key plays throughout the year, primarily with his glove. Friday night, however, he made one with his bat.

With the Pittsburgh Pirates tied 3-3 to the Washington Nationals with two outs after pinch hitter Colin Moran scored Anthony Alford on a ground out, Hayes stepped up to the plate and raked a liner down the first base line past former Pirate Josh Bell that scored Ben Gamel to walk it off for the Buccos. According to Hayes, it was his first walk-off hit since high school.

That was Hayes’ second RBI of the game, as he also scored Cole Tucker on a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third, and he finished 2-for-4 on the night. Anthony Alford was the only other multi-hit player, as he also went 2-for-4, and he also cranked a solo shot over the fence in the bottom of the seventh to get the Bucs within a single run.

As for the mound, Steven Brault left after two innings pitched with left arm discomfort. He gave up two runs on two hits and two walks. Cody Ponce was effective in relief, going three scoreless innings, giving up just a single baserunner to a walk to go along with two strikeouts. Chad Kuhl picked up the win to go to 5-6 on the season with one scoreless inning pitched.

The Buccos will look to do it again tonight against the Nationals with another 6:35 start at PNC Park.