The Pittsburgh Pirates began a seven-game road trip on Monday night with the first four of those games against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Pittsburgh took two of three games from Los Angeles back in April when these two teams met at PNC Park. The Dodgers would earn the win to start this series by the final of 5-2.
Jared Triolo got the scoring started when he hit an RBI single to right center to score Nick Gonzales. Los Angeles would answer with two runs in the bottom part of the inning. Max Muncy hit a solo homer, which was followed up by a Jason Heyward RBI double to right center. The Dodgers collected their third run in the fourth when Miguel Rojas brought home Miguel Vargas on a double.
Los Angeles then scored two more runs in the fifth to stretch their lead to four. It started when Peralta came through with an RBI single to left center. Will Smith would score on a fielding error by Carlos Santana on a ball hit by Heyward. The Pirates got one of those runs back in the sixth on a sac fly by Austin Hedges.
All-Star Mitch Keller did not have his best night of the season on the mound. He would throw five innings, allowing five runs, four earned, on eight hits with seven strikeouts and one walk. Yerry De Los Santos was solid in two innings out of the bullpen. He would allow one hit and strikeout two. Dauri Moreta pitched a scoreless eighth with one strikeout.
Michael Grove made the start for the Dodgers, working just four innings. During that time, he struck out three, walked two, and allowed one run on five hits. He was replaced by Caleb Ferguson who struck out two in an inning of work. Ryan Brasier would also work an inning out of the pen, allowing one run on two hits with a walk and two strikeouts. Brusdar Graterol pitched a flawless seventh before giving way to Daniel Hudson in the eighth, who would walk one batter. The save would go to Evan Phillips, who hit a batter, but allowed no damage.
This was a rough one to watch, because the offense once again never found any rhythm, nor did they challenge the Dodgers pitchers. It did not help that the usually reliable Keller was off his game tonight. These two teams will be back in action on Wednesday at 9:10pm. Luis Ortiz is slated to start for Pittsburgh, while Los Angeles will go with Emmet Sheehan.
Record vs. Dodgers: 2-2
Record vs. N.L. West: 12-7
Record on the Road: 17-24
Overall Record: 39-45
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
