The Pittsburgh Pirates rallied from behind on Tuesday night for a dramatic victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. On Wednesday night, L.A. returned the favor, handing the Bucs a 6-4 loss, highlighted by disappointing pitching and missed opportunities at the plate.
The Pirates built a four-run lead heading into the bottom of the fourth, but the Dodgers scored six runs over the next two innings to take control of the game. Pittsburgh had multiple chances to score, tie, or even take the lead, particularly in two of the game’s final three innings. Having loaded the bases with no outs in the seventh and ninth innings, the Bucs couldn’t plate a single run, resulting in a disappointing loss.
Osvaldo Bido started for Pittsburgh, giving up two runs two hits with four walks and four strikeouts in four innings on the mound. Roansy Contreras struggled on the mound again, giving up four runs on three hits (including two homeruns) and two walks in just one inning. He was tagged with the loss, falling to 3-7 while his ERA continued to balloon to 6.59 for the season.
Bryan Reynolds hit a solo homerun, his ninth of the season, in the top of the first to give the Bucs an early lead. Jack Suwinski’s 19th homerun of the year, a three-run shot in the fourth inning, seemingly gave the Pirates control of this game. Unfortunately, it would be short-lived.
The Dodgers scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth, one on a sacrifice fly by Jason Heyward and another on a single by Miguel Rojas, to cut the Bucs’ lead to 4-2.
Back-to-back homeruns in the bottom of the fifth ended up being the difference in this game. J.D. Martinez gave L.A. the lead with a three-run homerun, his 20th of the season, to make it 5-4. And the very next batter, David Peralta, hit his sixth homerun of the year, a solo shot to right field, to make it 6-4.
Pittsburgh looked poised to make another comeback after loading the bases with no outs in the seventh. But lineouts by Reynolds and Henry Davis, followed by a popout by Carlos Santana, ended the rally.
Similarly, the ninth inning started off very promising for the Bucs, as they once again loaded the bases. A leadoff double by Connor Joe was followed by walks to Andrew McCutchen and Reynolds. But Davis struck out, Santana flied out to left field, and Suwinski struck out to end the game.
As is the case with any game, win or lose, there were a number of contributing factors that resulted in the outcome on Wednesday. At the top of that list, though, was the Pirates’ inability to score runs in the late innings with plenty of chances to do so. They still have the opportunity to earn a series split and a season series victory over the Dodgers with a win on Thursday. Johan Oviedo will be on the mound for Pittsburgh against Julio Urias for Los Angeles. First pitch is scheduled for 10:10pm.
Record vs. Dodgers: 3-3
Record vs. N.L. West: 13-8
Record on the Road: 18-25
Overall Record: 40-46
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
