Taylor's leaping no-look grab boosts Nats

WASHINGTON -- Michael Taylor chipped in with two of Washington's 14 hits Friday night and added a stolen base in the Nationals' 4-1 win over Pittsburgh, but it was Taylor's impressive catch in front of the left-field wall that proved the most crucial.

Cast your Esurance All-Star ballot for #ASGWorthy players

In the fifth inning of Joe Ross' impressive start, second baseman Josh Harrison came to bat with two outs and Gregory Polanco on second base. Despite the Nationals already having nine hits at that juncture, their lead was only two runs.

Harrison squared up Ross as well as any Pirate did all night and sent Taylor retreating toward the visiting bullpen. What started as a sprint turned into a shuffle and Taylor ended the inning with a leaping no-look catch behind his head.

That play and 2 1/3 more innings of Ross' brilliance kept the Pirates at bay and helped the Nationals improve to 35-33 on the year.