WASHINGTON -- After tallying 17 runs in a three-game series win against the Mets, the Nationals¡¯ bats were quieted in a Saturday doubleheader against the streaking Pirates. They dropped Game 1, 6-3, and Game 2, 16-1, in their return to Nationals Park.

Here are three things we learned when the Nats and Bucs played two after Friday¡¯s series opener was postponed because of rain:

¡®Pen taxed
Washington¡¯s pitching staff already faced a question mark because of the doubleheader. The Nationals likely will have to call up a starter for this homestand, but before they could think that far ahead, the bullpen was taxed against the Pirates.

¡°That¡¯s what you feel the worst about,¡± said Game 2 starter Chad Kuhl. ¡°I wish that I was more efficient, that I could go seven in any capacity and help these guys out -- they¡¯ve been great. It just didn¡¯t work out.¡±

After Patrick Corbin pitched 5 1/3 innings in his start (seven hits, three runs, one walk, two strikeouts, one home run), manager Dave Martinez called on Carl Edwards Jr., Thaddeus Ward, Anthony Banda, Erasmo Ram¨ªrez and Jordan Weems (more on him below).

A few hours later, former Pirate Kuhl exited after allowing eight runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out four across 3 2/3 frames. Weems, Hobie Harris and Hunter Harvey followed before Martinez gave the nod to right fielder Lane Thomas, who last pitched in high school, to cover the ninth.

¡°The whole thing was tough,¡± said Martinez.

Focus on stolen bases
One key in attempting to outscore Pittsburgh is limiting its running game. The Pirates entered the doubleheader ranked first in the Majors with 37 stolen bases out of 43 attempts. As an example of how impactful their baserunning is, eight of the 21 runners who scored against the Dodgers in their most recent series this week had stolen a base the same inning. The Nationals were cognizant of this as they game planned.

¡°They¡¯re playing aggressive, they really are,¡± Martinez said pregame. ¡°So we¡¯ve got to pay attention to some of the little things that they¡¯re doing.¡±

The most times Pittsburgh had been caught stealing in a game this season was twice on April 18 against Colorado. Washington tied that total in Game 1 when Corbin picked off Rodolfo Castro at third base in the second inning and Riley Adams threw out Ke'Bryan Hayes at second base in the fifth.

¡°I try to generally be quick all the time. Focus on your pitches, but be quick,¡± said Corbin. ¡°Riley had a great throw there. ¡­ You just try to make a good pitch, be quick, give them a chance. I know the bases are a little bit bigger, guys are getting leads, the pickoffs are limited.¡±

Backup catcher Adams, who had not appeared in a game since April 22, has been working in between starts with catching and strategy coach Henry Blanco to limit stolen bases. He allowed one stolen base in the ninth inning (Jack Suwinski, second base) while working with Weems.

¡°As much as I can, days I¡¯m not playing, I¡¯m trying to catch bullpens, throw to bases, treat a lot of the pregame activities a little bit like it¡¯s my game,¡± Adams said. ¡°And that¡¯s my time to get my work in and put in the work there so that when it does come my time to catch, that I¡¯ll be ready and I can help the team.¡±

Weems impresses
Added to the roster as the 27th man for the doubleheader, Weems appeared in both contests for his Nationals season debut. The right-hander pitched a scoreless ninth inning with one walk and two strikeouts in Game 1, then relieved Kuhl in Game 2, tossing 1 1/3 innings with one hit, one walk and one strikeout. Weems¡¯ scoreless day stood out to Martinez.

¡°I was proud of him to go out there and pitch [in] back-to-back games like that the same day and get some outs for us,¡± said Martinez.

Weems made 32 relief appearances for the Nats last season. He began this year in Triple-A, where he is 1-0 with a 1.93 ERA in nine outings.

¡°He¡¯s got good stuff,¡± said Martinez. ¡°The biggest thing with him is throwing strike one. When he gets ahead, he¡¯s good."