MLB: Washington 7, Pittsburgh 4

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WASHINGTON, May 16 (UPI) -- Adam LaRoche drove in four runs with a solo homer and a bases-loaded double Wednesday, carrying the Washington Nationals past Pittsburgh 7-4.

The Nationals made the most of their seven hits to back up a 10-strikeout effort by Gio Gonzalez.

LaRoche's sixth-inning homer, one of three solo shots by the Nationals, gave Washington a 3-1 lead. Ian Desmond hit a solo home run in the third and Xavier Nady added another in the sixth.

Washington's lead was only 4-3 in the seventh, but the Nationals loaded the bases when Jesus Flores was hit by a pitch and both Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman drew two-out walks.

LaRoche cleared the bases by hitting reliever Evan Meek's first pitch to right for a double.

Gonzalez (5-1) gave up three runs on four hits over seven innings. Henry Rodriguez struck out one in a perfect ninth for his ninth save.

Erik Bedard (2-5) took the loss, surrendering four runs on six hits in six innings with seven strikeouts.