Don Kelly Gets to .500; Pirates Blank Dodgers 3-0 Behind Rookies
PITTSBURGH— The Pittsburgh Pirates shut out the Dodgers 3-0 on Wednesday, Sept. 3, logging their Major League-leading 17th shutout of 2025 behind rookies Braxton Ashcraft and Mike Burrows.
Now 41-30 at PNC Park with ten home games left, the Pirates (63-77) have clinched a winning record on their home turf for the first time since 2018. And the win pushed Don Kelly’s managerial record since taking over in May to 51 -51, an even .500.
Bryan Reynolds and Andrew McCutchen slugged solo home runs in the first and second innings, respectively, giving the Pirates a 2-0 lead. Los Angeles threatened in the top of the second, loading the bases with no outs and forcing Ashcraft to throw 37 pitches, but the 25-year-old rookie managed to keep them off the scoreboard.
Ashcraft loaded the bases again in the third inning, this time with two outs, but forced a groundout to wriggle out of the jam. Nevertheless, already at 71 pitches, his night ended early. Mike Burrows entered in relief, forcing Freddie Freeman into a double play in the fifth inning to erase a leadoff double from Shohei Ohtani and a subsequent Mookie Betts walk.
Nick Gonzales singled in the sixth and trotted home on a Joey Bart double, giving the Pirates much-needed insurance.
The Dodgers also put two aboard in the seventh against Evan Sisk, but the left-hander managed to preserve the shutout. Dennis Santana entered in the ninth for the save, striking out Ohtani to end the game.
Key Moment
The Dodgers loaded the bases with no outs in the second inning. Ashcraft didn’t blink, working two strikeouts and a fly ball to retire the side.
Star of the Game
Joey Bart, who picked up three hits and helped the Pirates’ youthful pitching staff navigate the challenges of a loaded Dodgers’ lineup.
Notable Pirates Performances
- Joey Bart: 3-for-3 with a double and an RBI
- Bryan Reynolds: 1-for-4 with a home run
- Andrew McCutchen: 1-for-4 with a home run
Stat to Know
Pirates rookie Braxton Ashcraft possesses a 1.08 ERA (3 ER/25 IP) through six career starts. He holds a 2.44 ERA (55.1 innings/22 appearances) on the season.
Noteworthy
- Third baseman Cam Devanney picked up his first big league hit with a second-inning single.
- Originally slated as the Dodgers’ starting pitcher, superstar Shohei Ohtani was a late scratch from the mound due to illness. He still managed to appear at designated hitter.
Up Next
The Pirates will send right-handed staff ace Paul Skenes (9-9, 2.05 ERA, 187 K’s) to the mound at 6:40 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4 in a bid to take the series. Los Angeles will counter with left-hander Blake Snell (3-3, 2.41 ERA, 38 K’s).
More about: Pirates