Dodgers Power Their Way to 11-1 Win Over Pirates

After a game in which the Dodgers scored only one run, the Dodgers bats came alive in their 11-1 win over the Pirates on Tuesday in Pittsburgh. 

The Dodgers struck early when Freddie Freeman and Trea Turner recorded back-to-back doubles in the top of the first. Justin Turner contributed an run-scoring double of his own with two outs in the inning to put the Dodgers ahead 2-0.

It looked like the Dodgers might add on to their lead in the second inning with runners on the corners with nobody out, but Bryse Wilson escaped a jam by striking out Austin Barnes and getting Betts to bounce into a double play.

The Dodgers didn’t let their next opportunity come and go as they put up a five-spot in the third inning, knocking Wilson out of the game in the process. Justin Turner and Barnes each recorded two-RBI doubles.

Wilson didn’t look nearly as sharp in this one as he did in his last two appearances out of the bullpen. He allowed six earned runs on eight hits in 2.2 innings of work. He did strikeout four Dodgers hitters.

The Dodgers added on four more in the seventh when Bryan Reynolds tried to make a diving catch, but whiffed and the ball went all the way to the wall, giving Max Muncy a triple. Justin Turner, who collected four hits on the night, and Cody Bellinger hit back-to-back RBI doubles and Edwin Rios followed with a two-run homer.

The Dodgers ended up with 10 extra-base hits; eight doubles, a triple and a home run.

After a Ben Gamel walk and a Bryan Reynolds double in the bottom of the first, the Pirates looked to be in prime position to score a run. Gamel tried scoring on a fly ball to right off the bat of Ke’Bryan Hayes, but Mookie Betts made a strong throw home to prevent a run. Yoshi Tsutsugo struck out after a 12-pitch at-bat to end the inning.

The Reynolds double was the only hit the Pirates had against Dodgers starter Tony Gonsolin, who went five scoreless. The Pirates as a team collected only four hits, the others being a single from Ke’Bryan Hayes in the sixth, a double from Michael Chavis, who entered the game in the eighth inning and a Cole Tucker single. Hayes also drew a pair of walks, reaching base three times for the third consecutive game.

The Pirates finally got on the board in the eight inning when Tsutsugo reached on a fielder’s choice, allowing Chavis to score.

The rubber match is scheduled for 12:35 on Wednesday. Dillon Peters (3-1, 2.16 ERA) will get the ball for the Pirates. Ryan Pepiot will make his Major League debut for the Dodgers.