In a commanding display, the Los Angeles Dodgers triumphed over the Pittsburgh Pirates 12-3, following the departure of ace Paul Skenes. Skenes, the reigning National League Cy Young Award winner, delivered a strong performance before leaving the game. He allowed only two runs and struck out seven hitters in six innings of work.
Impact of Paul Skenes’ Exit
The Dodgers exploited the moment Skenes exited, shifting the game’s momentum drastically. Andy Pages played a pivotal role in the seventh inning, contributing a two-run homer and a sacrifice fly. His efforts were instrumental as Los Angeles surged ahead against the Pirates’ bullpen.
- Dalton Rushing started the seventh with a single.
- Rushing advanced to third and scored due to a fielding error by catcher Henry Davis.
- Shohei Ohtani followed with an RBI double.
- Pages’ home run marked his fourth against the Pirates in just 12 games.
Notable Performances
Freddie Freeman also made history during this game, achieving his 2,500th career hit with an RBI single. This performance was highlighted by a series of bases-loaded walks and an error by second baseman Brandon Lowe, contributing to the Dodgers’ significant scoring inning.
Game Statistics
| Team | Runs | Hits | Error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dodgers | 12 | 10 | 0 |
| Pirates | 3 | 6 | 2 |
Looking Ahead
This loss marked the fourth consecutive defeat for Pittsburgh, dropping their record to 34-33. Notably, Skenes’ performance has slipped to a 0-3 record with a 4.50 ERA over his last five starts.
The series will continue on Wednesday with Ohtani, boasting a 6-2 record and an impressive 0.74 ERA, aiming for his fifth consecutive victory on the mound. Jared Jones, with a 1-0 record and a 4.82 ERA, is slated to start for the Pirates.
