Long Ball Dooms Pirates in 5-2 Loss to Dodgers

Recap

A couple of two-run home runs from the Los Angeles Dodgers sunk the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2 at Dodger Stadium on Thursday night.

Two batters into the bottom of the first, Freddie Freeman hit a two-run home run before Max Muncy connected on a two-run shot of his own in the sixth inning. Both blasts came off of Pirates starter Johan Oviedo (3-10).

The two home runs muddied Oviedo’s line. The right-hander went 6.2 innings, allowed five runs on six hits and struck out seven. His seven punchouts were tied for the third-most he’s had in a game this season.

The Pirates (40-47) tied the game at 2-all on a Nick Gonzales two-run double, but were unable to do anything else on offense.

Key Moment 

Pirates left fielder Bryan Reynolds nearly threw out Freeman on a double in the sixth inning. Muncy’s go-ahead, two-run homer came on the very next batter.

Star of the Game

In addition to his home run, Freeman doubled, had three hits, drove in three, scored a pair and stole a base. The Dodgers first baseman leads the league with 30 doubles.

Stat of Interest

By completing 6.2 innings, Oviedo became the first Pirates’ pitcher since Mitch Keller on June 28 to go more than five innings in a start.

Noteworthy

• With his two-run double in the top of the seventh inning, Nick Gonzales extended his hitting streak to five games. Over that span, he’s hitting .526 (10 for 19) and has had multi-hit performances in four of those five contests.
• After throwing a scoreless eighth inning, Yerry De Los Santos has not been scored upon in eight straight appearances out of the bullpen. The righty has only allowed one run in 11.0 innings this season.
• Hitting coach Andy Haines was ejected from the game after Jack Suwinski was called out on strikes in the seventh inning.
• Prior to the start of the game, the Pirates optioned right-hander Roansy Contreras to Triple-A Indianapolis and activated Ke’Bryan Hayes off the injured list.

Up Next

The Pirates’ West Coast swing continues as they head to Arizona for a three-game series with the Diamondbacks starting Friday night. Rich Hill (7-8, 4.50 ERA) will get the ball for Pittsburgh. The Pirates will face D-backs ace right-hander Zac Gallen (10-3, 3.15 ERA). First pitch: 9:40 ET.