Palacios the Hero as Pirates Steal 9-7 Win From Dodgers

Recap:

One day after going 0-for-5 from the leadoff spot and promptly finding himself on the bench for the next game, Pirates’ outfielder Josh Palacios stepped up in a huge way. Manager Derek Shelton called his number to pinch hit with the game tied in the eighth inning, and Palacios contributed a two-run double that won the game 9-7. 

The Pirates got some bad luck in the first inning. Batting with the bases loaded, Nick Gonzales pulled a double to left that hopped over the wall, allowing just two runs to score: had it stayed in play, they could’ve added a third. 

Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman singled in the bottom of the frame, putting runners at the corners. Catcher Will Smith lifted a fly ball to right to close the game to 2-1. 

Center fielder James Outman hit the first of two two-run homers in the second, and Betts hit a solo shot of his own to open a 4-2 lead.

Dodgers’ starter Emmet Sheehan offered Jack Suwinski a middle-middle fastball in the fourth, which Suwinski blasted 442 feet into the right field bleachers. Catcher Austin Hedges hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded to tie the game, and a single from Bryan Reynolds put Pittsburgh up 5-4.

Los Angeles promptly took the lead back with Outman’s second two-run shot of the game.

Henry Davis hit an RBI single to tie the game in the sixth (with help from a throwing error by Dodgers left fielder David Peralta). In a familiar trend, Pittsburgh loaded the bases with one out following a Carlos Santana walk, but couldn’t scrape the go-ahead run across.

Late Game Heroics

Pirates’ reliever Ángel Perdomo got ahead of pinch-hitter Jonny Deluca 2-0 in the eighth inning. He then nibbled outside the zone, allowing Deluca to work the count full before surrendering the go-ahead homer. 

This time it was Pittsburgh’s turn to respond, as Suwinski and Gonzales walked with one out in the ninth before third baseman Jared Triolo singled in the tying run.

Key Moment:

Pinch-hitter Josh Palacios fell behind 0-2 against Dodgers’ closer Evan Phillips before roping the game-winning double to left. 

Star of the Game:

Dodgers’ center fielder James Outman hit two homers, knocking in four runs. 

Stat of Interest:

After the Dodgers chased starter Luis Ortiz from the game in the fourth inning, Pittsburgh’s bullpen allowed two hits and one run across 5.2 innings. 

Noteworthy:

Deluca’s homer was the first of his career.

After struggling to an 0-10 start in his return from the injured list, Bryan Reynolds bounced back with two singles, including an RBI.

Evan Phillips came on for the save attempt in back to back days, which could limit his availability for the rest of the series.

Rough day at the office for Andrew McCutchen, who went 0-for-6.

David Bednar earned the win, entering after Deluca’s home run and contributing 1.2 innings.

Up Next: 

Pittsburgh’s (40-45) series with the Dodgers continues at 10:10pm on July 5. Osvaldo Bido (0-1, 4.74 ERA) looks to face Bobby Miller (4-1, 4.23 ERA).