Pirates Look Flat In Loss To Dodgers

by Zane Heiple

Photo by blog.prorumors.com

After an exciting win in the opening game of this four game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Pittsburgh Pirates were looking to string a few victories together on this road trip.  That will have to wait as the Pirates lost tonight 7-2.  Jeff Locke took to the mound for the Buccos and his time there was short as he only lasted three innings allowing three runs on five hits while walking two batters.  While this short outing placed a lot of stress on the bullpen, it is fortunate that the rosters have been expanded at this point in the season.  Five pitchers were used out of the bullpen and Daniel McCutchen was hit the hardest as he allowed three runs in his one inning of work.

Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda has not had the best season, as he entered tonight with an 11-16 record and a 3.19 ERA.  He did roll tonight in his six innings of work allowing one earned run on five hits, while striking out seven.  The only run he gave up was in the sixth inning when Alex Presley homered to right field, this also happened to be the only highlight for Pittsburgh on the night.

While they were in the game for most of the night, the four run sixth by LA really but the Pirates in a hole that they could not get out of.  As fans we are very familiar with games like this where the team is hanging around and then a few mistakes take them out of it.  Hopefully the Buccos can clean it up and get back to the form they had on Thursday against the Dodgers tomorrow night.  It will be another late night tomorrow as they two teams will square off at 10:10 for the third night in a row.  The Pirates will send former Dodger James McDonald to the hill, while Los Angeles will go with veteran Ted Lilly.

Record vs. Dodgers:  2-4
Record vs. N.L. West:  12-16
Record on the Road:  34-39
Overall Record 68-83

And…

As Always…

Let’s Go Bucs!!!