Falter (7-7) earned the win Thursday, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings against the Nationals. He struck out three.
Falter's outing did not begin well as he allowed three runs in the first, capped by a two-run homer by Andres Chaparro. Falter then settled down, allowing no more runs through his final four innings while the anemic Pirates' offense scored six to put him in position for his seventh win. Falter progressively improved throughout his start, retiring the Nationals in order for the first time in the fifth to close out his outing on a high note. Despite setting a new career-high with his seventh win, the nine batters to reach base marked the fifth straight start Falter has allowed at least eight baserunners while pitching fewer than six innings, holding a 6.85 ERA and 1.82 WHIP during that stretch. His next start is currently slated to take place in Pittsburgh against the Marlins.