Jeff Birney
Dodgers Continue to Slug; Look to Sweep the Pirates Tonight
First pitch. One swing. Gone.
That’s how things started Tuesday night at Chavez Ravine as Joc Pederson swung at the first fast ball proffered by Pirates starter Ivan Nova. The ball was crushed a ridiculous 427 feet, and Max Muncy stepped up and went yard in the next at-bat, marking the 2nd night in a row the two got back-to-back homers. Muncy continues his tear, going yard again in the third for his 20th of the season.
The Dodgers continued to crush the ball all night, as Nova gave up a total of five home runs: the most in Pirates history in one game. Manager Dave Roberts noted that what the Dodgers have been doing as of late in regard to OPS and slugging is “unprecedented… we’re in some uncharted territory.”
Chris Taylor had a spectacular night as well, hitting an HR, a triple and a double to come up just a single short of the Cycle.
Clayton Kershaw, although not in perfect form, continues to look better in his return from the DL. Backed by red-hot bats, Kershaw went six innings, struck out two and allowed two runs on four hits while issuing no walks.
The Dodgers cruised to an 8-3 victory.
Tonight Rich Hill faces Clay Holmes as the Dodgers look to sweep the Pirates. Game time is 5:10 pm, PST.
Happy Independence Day!
