Photo provided by Matt Lynch
The Pirates jumped on Tarik Skubal early but were unable to add on and fell 4-3 to the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Saturday.
Scoring Plays
Top 1st, 3-0 PIT: Oneil Cruz stroked a two-run triple to right field off Tarik Skubal (8-7) to plate a pair and scored on a Rafael Flores Jr. groundout to get the Pirates (63-68) on the board early.
Bottom 4th, 3-2 PIT: The Dodgers (79-51) didn’t get their first hit off Jared Jones until the fourth but put up a two-spot in the inning. Teoscar Hernández and Alek Thomas hit back-to-back RBI singles with one out.
Bottom 5th, 4-3 LAD: Los Angeles took the lead off Yohan Ramírez (6-4) in the fifth on Kyle Tucker’s two-run single to right field.
Key Moments
The Pirates had the tying run on third base with one out in the eighth after pinch-runner Billy Cook advanced to third on a passed ball. Evan Phillips struck out Bryan Reynolds and Jack Dreyer struck out Oneil Cruz looking.
Player of the Game
Tarik Skubal allowed three runs in the first inning for the first time since 2022 but settled in and delivered seven-strong innings. He struck out 11 batters, the most he’s had in a game since getting traded to the Dodgers at the deadline.
Stat to Know
After a Jared Triolo single in the second inning, the Pirates didn’t get another hit until Esmerlyn Valdez’s one-out double in the eighth.
Notable Performances
Jared Jones: 4.0 innings, three hits, two runs, five walks, five strikeouts, 87 pitches/48 strikes
Esmerlyn Valdez: 2 for 3, one double, one walk, one run
Oneil Cruz: 1 for 4, one triple, two RBI, one run
Noteworthy
Oneil Cruz has driven in at least one run in four straight games. That ties his longest streak of the season.
Jared Jones’ 87 pitches set a season-high.
Up Next
The Pirates have not announced a starter for Sunday’s series finale. LHP Blake Snell (1-1, 3.60 ERA) will be on the mound for the Dodgers. First pitch: 4:10 p.m. ET on SportsNet Pittsburgh/93.7 The Fan.
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