In a disappointing outing, the Los Angeles Dodgers lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates 10-6, marking their second straight defeat in this three-game series. The Dodgers’ efforts to rebound from an early deficit fell short, despite an offensive surge led by home runs from Shohei Ohtani and Andy Pages.
Early Struggles Set the Tone
James Paxton started on the mound for the Dodgers but struggled significantly, giving up seven runs in just 1.2 innings. This rocky performance put the Dodgers in a deep hole early, trailing 7-0 by the end of the second inning. Paxton’s inability to find his rhythm was evident as he allowed six hits and two walks, managing only two strikeouts before being pulled from the game.
Pirates’ Rookie Sensation Holds Steady
Rookie sensation Paul Skeens started for the Pirates and managed to keep the Dodgers at bay for most of his outing. While the Dodgers were able to tag him for three runs on six hits, Skeens demonstrated poise and control, striking out eight batters over his five innings of work. Despite giving up home runs to Shohei Ohtani and Andy Pages, Skeens exited with the Pirates still holding a comfortable lead.
Dodgers’ Offense Shows Fight
Despite the early deficit, the Dodgers’ offense showed resilience. Shohei Ohtani’s two-run homer in the third inning and Andy Pages’ solo shot in the fifth off Skeens highlighted their scoring efforts. The Dodgers outhit the Pirates 11-9, but the damage done in the second inning proved too much to overcome. Key contributions came from multiple players, including Will Smith, who added two RBIs, and Gavin Lux, who chipped in with an RBI of his own.
Bullpen Efforts
The Dodgers’ bullpen put in a commendable effort to limit further damage after Paxton’s exit. Yency Ramirez, Alex Vesia, and Ryan Yarbrough combined to allow just three runs over the next 6.1 innings, but the early deficit was insurmountable. For the Pirates, their bullpen was equally effective, with Colin Holderman, Hunter Stratton, and David Bednar closing out the game and preserving the lead.
Looking Ahead
With the series loss looming, the Dodgers turn to Walker Buehler for the final game, hoping to avoid a sweep. Buehler, coming off a decent performance in his last outing as he builds up after a long layoff, will aim to stabilize the pitching staff and give the Dodgers a chance to bounce back.
The Dodgers will need to find consistency if they hope to regain momentum in the series finale. With their potent offense and deep lineup, there remains optimism that they can turn things around quickly.