Missed Opportunities Cost Pirates in 5-2 Loss to Dodgers

Recap:

Missed chances burned the Pirates on Monday night, as they fell to the Dodgers 5-2 despite opportunities to get back in the game.

Pittsburgh took a 1-0 lead in the second inning thanks to the left side of the infield, as third baseman Jared Triolo singled to score shortstop Nick Gonzales.

Dodgers’ third baseman Max Muncy led off the bottom of the inning with a home run to center against Pirates’ ace and lone All-Star selection Mitch Keller. Outfielders David Peralta and Jason Heyward traded places with a pair of doubles to make it 2-1.

Shortstop Miguel Rojas added a double of his own in the fourth to plate another run. It was death by one thousand paper cuts in the fifth inning, as three singles and an uncharacteristic error by first baseman Carlos Santana allowed two more runs to cross.

Pittsburgh loaded the bases with one out in the sixth, but all they could manage was an Austin Hedges sacrifice fly that made it 5-2.

Dodgers’ closer Evan Phillips hit Connor Joe with a pitch to lead off the ninth, but a double play and a fly out ended the game. 

Key Moment:

Leading 1-0, the Pirates loaded the bases in the second inning with the top of the order due up. Instead of making a statement early on the road, a groundout killed the rally.

Star of the Game:

Jared Triolo went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks and an RBI single. 

Stat of Interest:

The Pirates are the worst team in the league when it comes to being caught stealing, with more than .33 runners per game being thrown out on the bases. They went 0-for-1 on the night, with Gonzales thrown out trying to swipe second in the fourth inning.

Noteworthy:

Outfielder Bryan Reynolds sits in an 0-for-8 slump since returning from an IL stint with back inflammation. 

The Pirates managed seven hits, but just one went for extra bases as they struggled to piece together clutch at-bats with runners on.

Up Next: 

Pittsburgh (39-45) looks to tie their series with the Dodgers. They’ll face off again at 9:10pm on July 4, with Luis Ortiz (2-3, 4.11 ERA) set to face off against Emmet Sheehan (2-0, 2.65 ERA).