What is it about this place?
The Pirates, looking nothing like World Series contenders during their recent six-game road trip, immediately recaptured their magic when they returned to PNC Park, drubbing the Nationals, 7-3, Thursday night.
They have the second-best home record in baseball at 84-46 since the start of 2014. And make no mistake: This was a game they needed after that 1-5 stumble through Milwaukee and Kansas City, and now Max Scherzer waiting on Friday.
"I say it's the fans," said Jared Hughes, who impressively cleaned up the seventh inning after replacing Francisco Liriano. "I'm serious. It's a special place to play baseball."
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