The Los Angeles Dodgers have defended Dodgers Stadium well all season and did so once again on Friday night, winning 6-2 over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The loss snapped a six-game winning streak that the Pirates had over L.A. and dropped them to 21-6 against National League West opponents this season.
Early inning woes again reared their head again as the Dodgers scored single runs in both the first and second inning of the contest.
Pirates catchers have had trouble getting runners out this week and the errors have gone up as well. Chris Stewart’s errant throw in the first inning allowed Justin Ruggiano to steal third base and then score on the miscue.
Ruggiano was a part of the second-inning scoring play, as well, with a single to left field. Starling Marte’s throw to home plate was off line, allowing Joc Pederson to score. Ruggiano was caught in between first and second base.
Neil Walker connected for a fourth-inning home run, his 14th of the season. The solo homer was hit on a first-pitch fastball and was Walker’s first home run since Aug. 20.
Jeff Locke’s [8-11] outing — and the game — turned around in the next half-inning as the Dodgers immediately responded to the Pirates scoring a run.
A first-pitch fastball to Corey Seager landed over the right-center field wall and also scored A.J. Ellis, who had singled in the previous at-bat.
The Dodgers pulled away in the seventh inning, as Adrian Gonzalez recorded his 32nd double of the season, which scored both Zack Greinke and Chase Utley. Greinke was 2-for-2, raising his batting average to .234.
Greinke [18-3] held the Pirates to four hits in seven-plus innings of work. He departed the game after Stewart recorded a single, his second hit of the game, and pinch-hitter Michael Morse walked.
After left-handed reliever Luis Avilan struck out Gregory Polanco, Chris Hatcher came in and allowed a single to Marte that scored Stewart, but Hatcher got to Andrew McCutchen pop up and Aramis Ramirez to ground out to first base to end the threat.
Kenley Jansen pitched a scoreless ninth inning to seal the Dodgers win.
The Pirates remain five games behind the St. Louis Cardinals for first place in the National League Central, however, the Chicago Cubs are now one game behind them for the top NL Wild Card spot.
The series continues Saturday as Francisco Liriano [10-7 3.45 ERA] takes on Clayton Kershaw [14-6 2.12 ERA]. Liriano is 3-0 with a 2.78 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers.
Photo credit: Stephen Dunn/Getty Images
