Bullpen Gets Another Workout as Dodgers Take Series from the Pirates
The Dodgers had yet another bullpen day on Thursday, putting up nine pitchers against the Pirates in the series finale in Pittsburgh. Dodger bats remained hot as Joc Pederson went yard twice while Cody Bellinger continued to look more like his rookie self, going 3 for 4, getting one over the fence in the 7th and coming within a triple of going for the cycle the 2nd time in his MLB career.
The Pirates offense kept Dodgers pitchers busy though, getting 7 runs on 9 hits and coming within a run of tying up the game in the bottom of the 9th. With regular starters Clayton Kershaw, Kenta Maeda, Hyun-Jin Ryu, and Rich Hill all on the DL, the bullpen has taken on the lion’s share of pitching work as of late.
Closer Kenley Jansen came in during the 8th, gave up a home run to Francisco Cervelli in the 9th, yet hung on to get the save.
The Dodgers won 8-7 and return to Los Angeles Friday to face the Braves.