The Buccos raise the Jolly Roger by taking three of four from the boys from D.C. Even the Presidents' Race couldn't help the Nats solve Pittsburgh pitching in this series.

On to the Championship round for the upstarts from the Steel City.

Thanks to Jim. W. for playing today.

Game One: PIT 6, WAS 2:

Gerritt Cole was the "Nat King" (get it, Nat King Cole, bad joke that it is), strikes out 12 Nationals in seven innings to get the series started off right for Pittsburgh. Stephen Strasburg didn't fare as well, giving up a three run fourth: the big blow was Jordy Mercer's double that plated two. Cole even hit a successful squeeze to score the fourth run.

Game Two: PIT 4, WAS 3

A 3-3 tie was broken in the eighth on Russell Martin's bases empty homer. Neither starter was effective. Francisco Liriano only went five, while Jordan Zimmermann gave up 13 hits in six innings. After Martin's homer, the Pirates bullpen took over - Holdzkom, Watson and Melancon only allowed three meager singles in their three innings of work.

Game Three: WAS 1, PIT 0

A very tight game and great pitching duel between Doug Fister and Edinson Volquez. Washington manages to score the game's only run in the sixth on Anthony Rendon's double. Fister goes 8.1 innings of shutout ball, pitching a tidy three hitter, while Rafael Soriano gets the one-out save.

Game Four: PIT 2, WAS 1

Another edge-of-your-seat thriller. Pittsburgh scores two in the second off Gio Gonzalez and holds on for the series-ending win. Pittsburgh's Vance Worley strikes out seven in 6.1 innings, while Washington gets one back on a Rendon sac fly. But the Pirates' triple threat in the bullpen -- Holdzkom, Watson, and Melancon -- again holds off the Nats. Watson strikes out the side in the eighth, while Melancon gets in a bit of trouble in the ninth. He puts two Nats runners on the basepaths but then strikes out Adam Laroche to snuff the rally and send the Washington team back to the capital city to lobby for more victories next year.

Melancon gets his third save of the playoffs. But the Pirates overall pitching -- especially the bullpen -- continues to be the jewel for the Pirates in the postseason.
--submitted by Joe Pryweller--