Herz and Crews star in the opening game, in which the Nationals defeated the Pirates 5-3

DJ Herz threw five hitless innings and his teammate, rookie Dylan Crews, hit a home run to help the Washington Nationals beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-3 in Saturday’s doubleheader opener.

Herz (3-7) was removed after 87 pitches. The left-hander threw five strikeouts and allowed three walks in his first win since Aug. 3.

Crews hit a solo drive in the second inning off Luis Ortiz for his third home run since being called up from Triple-A Rochester last month. The second-round pick in last year’s amateur draft also hit a run-scoring double in the sixth inning that gave the Nationals a 4-0 lead.

Robert Garcia replaced Herz and struck out the next five batters before Nick Gonzales singled to center field with two outs in the seventh inning.

Rowdy Tellez met Jacob Barnes with a two-run shot that bounced into the Allegheny River behind the right-field stands. Tellez’s sixth career pinch homer cut the Nationals’ lead to 4-2.

Kyle Finnegan pitched a shaky ninth inning to earn his 35th save in 40 chances. Gonzales had an RBI single with one out, but Bryan De La Cruz grounded a ball to end the game with a bases-loaded double play.

The Pirates were held hitless Wednesday in Chicago. The Cubs’ Shota Imanaga, Nate Pearson and Porter Hodge combined for the game.

Jose Tena had two hits for the Nationals, who have lost five of six games.

The Nationals took a 2-0 lead when Luis García Jr. homered on Joey Bart’s fly ball with two outs in the fourth inning. García also had an RBI double in the sixth.

The final point for Washington was scored by CJ Abrams, who sacrificed himself in the ninth inning.

Ortiz (6-5) allowed four runs — three earned — and six hits in 5 2/3 innings. Crews’ homer snapped Ortiz’s 16-inning scoreless streak.

TRAINER’S OFFICE

Nationals: RHP Trevor Williams (strained right forearm flexor) will begin rehab Tuesday at Double-A Harrisburg. Williams is expected to pitch four innings and throw 65-70 balls.

Pirates: Bart (left hamstring strain) was activated after missing 10 days since Aug. 26. OF Billy McKinney was designated for assignment to open a spot on the roster.

What’s next?

Nationals rookie left-handed pitcher Mitchell Parker (7-9, ERA 4.27) was scheduled to face Pirates right-handed pitcher Mitch Keller (11-9, ERA 3.88) in the second game.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb