Dodgers Team News

Dodgers Recap: Dodgers Six-Game Winning Streak Comes To An End In Pittsburgh

The series opener between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday seemed like a pitcher’s duel through an inning and a half.

In a seesaw affair, what ultimately transpired in the bottom of the second inning was a jam the Boys in Blue could not overcome as they dropped the opener at PNC Park by the final score of 8-6.



Dodgers starter Nick Tepesch gave up four earned runs in that frame, which included a two-run single by Pirates second baseman Sean Rodriguez. Rodriguez scored three batters later as first baseman John Jaso doubled him in to put the Buccos up 3-0.

The Pirates would lead by four runs until the next half inning as Corey Seager got a one-out double that was nearly a home run before Justin Turner doubled him in immediately.

On the first pitch of the at-bat to Howie Kendrick, Pirates starter Jameson Taillon was issued a balk after he could not deliver the ball to the plate because he slipped off the rubber of the mound. Turner, who advanced to third on a groundout by Adrian Gonzalez, scored as a result and the lead was cut in half, 4-2.

Pirates shortstop Jung-ho Kang homered down the left field line to increase Pittsburgh’s lead to 5-2 in home half of the third. Tepesch’s night was done one inning later as Scott Van Slyke came in to pinch-hit to start the fifth inning.

Tepesch ended his Dodgers debut by allowing five runs on seven hits while striking out three batters.

As for Van Slyke, he drew a walk from Taillon in that at-bat. Chase Utley then doubled off the face of the center field wall to put runners on second and third.

The damage would be done as Taillon gave up a single to Corey Seager, scoring Van Slyke from third to cut the deficit to 5-3. Taillon gave up three runs on eight hits in four-plus innings, striking out two Dodgers. Gonzalez hit a sac fly to get the Dodgers within one, but no more runs would be scored in a successful fifth.

The success would be short-lived as the Pirates created space again by scoring another run on a bloop single to left by Matt Joyce.

The Dodgers got a run in the sixth on a towering home run by Yasiel Puig, who scored the game-winning run on Wednesday night to beat the Nationals. Los Angeles loaded the bases thereafter and Turner brought Van Slyke in on another sacrifice fly to pry the Dodgers to within one, 7-6.

Joyce hit his eighth home run of the season off of Dodgers reliever Chris Hatcher with one out in the bottom of the seventh as they took an 8-6 lead. That’s all she wrote as there would be no more scoring from that point forward.

Neftali Feliz picked up his second win for Pittsburgh, while Tepesch was handed his first loss. Mark Melancon recorded his 21st save to secure the Pirates win.

The two teams will meet again Saturday at 4:15 p.m. PT as Kenta Maeda opposes Jeff Locke.

Noah Friedman

Native Angeleno, adopted Phoenician. I'm going into my junior year at Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. I study sports journalism while covering a multitude of Sun Devils sports. Follow me on Twitter @OPannouncer!

4 Comments

  1. RandyKirchner  The bull pen has the best ERA in the NL and is second in the majors. There are a couple of guys who could leave and never be missed…..Howell and Hatcher, and Baez. The starting staff beyond Kershaw and Maeda is a quagmire of inefficiency. The should likewise be gone.

  2. Michael Norris RandyKirchner Michael I agree with you on Hatcher, Baez Howell they have been bad all year. I have been impressed with Coleman and Fein they really battle. 
    Kazmir has been a bit inconsistent but has actually pitched well overall. After that its been a dog’s breakfast and the bad rotation starts tire the Bullpen. 
    Urias to me has shown two things first he has incredible potential and promise and two he is very young and is not as efficient as veteran pitchers. In a few years he will be great. 
    To me it is very bad management of resources bu the Front Office in not having a pitcher ready for this trip and needing ot use a scrub pitcher from TX. TX always needs pitchers if I am going to pick up a pitcher a team cut it certainly would not be TX.
    I am hoping the FO trades for Lucroy we need a catcher that can at least hit his weight…

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