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Photo provided by Matt Lynch\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPhoto provided by Matt Lynch\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Scoring Plays<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Bottom 4th, 3-2 PIT: The Dodgers (79-51) didn\u2019t get their first hit off Jared Jones until the fourth but put up a two-spot in the inning. Teoscar Hern\u00e1ndez and Alek Thomas hit back-to-back RBI singles with one out.<\/p>\n
Bottom 5th, 4-3 LAD: Los Angeles took the lead off Yohan Ram\u00edrez (6-4) in the fifth on Kyle Tucker\u2019s two-run single to right field.<\/p>\n
Key Moments<\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
Player of the Game<\/p>\n
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\u2019s had in a game since getting traded to the Dodgers at the deadline. <\/p>\n
Stat to Know<\/p>\n
After a Jared Triolo single in the second inning, the Pirates didn\u2019t get another hit until Esmerlyn Valdez\u2019s one-out double in the eighth. <\/p>\n
Notable Performances<\/p>\n
Jared Jones: 4.0 innings, three hits, two runs, five walks, five strikeouts, 87 pitches\/48 strikes<\/p>\n
Esmerlyn Valdez: 2 for 3, one double, one walk, one run<\/p>\n
Oneil Cruz: 1 for 4, one triple, two RBI, one run<\/p>\n
Noteworthy<\/p>\n
Oneil Cruz has driven in at least one run in four straight games. That ties his longest streak of the season. <\/p>\n
Jared Jones\u2019 87 pitches set a season-high. <\/p>\n
Up Next<\/p>\n
The Pirates have not announced a starter for Sunday\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Around the Network<\/p>\n
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