Washington Nationals vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Live Blog: Analysis and Reactions

Two playoff-caliber teams met up Thursday night for National League bragging rights and the beginning of a four-game series. 

The Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Washington Nationals, 7-3, at PNC Park. 

Andrew McCutchen hit his 13th homer of the season-a two-run bomb to center-giving the Pirates outfielder 600 runs scored in his career. 

"

Cutch now has 600 Runs scored in his career! Since his '09 rookie season, he has scored the 5th-most runs in MLB. pic.twitter.com/SQ6S44FsPo

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 24, 2015"

Pedro Alvarez had a pair of RBI including his own 13th home run this year in the second inning. 

The Pirates (55-40) are doing all they can to erase the memory of a three-game sweep at the hands of the Nationals (51-43) just last month. 

With the win, Pittsburgh remains six games behind the Cardinals in the NL Central but lead the NL Wild-Card race by 3.5 games. 

The Pirates made were in the news just an hour before their win Thursday by trading for third baseman Aramis Ramirez. He will presumably slot in as the starter at the hot-corner for the injured Josh Harrison. 

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the Pirates aren't done before the July 31 trade deadline. 

"

Sources: #Pirates working on another trade. Believed to be for a reliever.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 24, 2015"

As for the Nationals, there's rumblings that Washington is pursuing a trade for the Reds' lights-out closer Aroldis Chapman. 

"

Aroldis Chapman makes all the sense in the world for Washington. Starting pitching not a priority, Bruce not a fit. Nats could use pen help.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 24, 2015"

The Pirates and Nationals will play three more games in this series through the weekend. 

Check out all the updates of Thursday night's action in Pittsburgh below.