How did Dodgers fare against Pirates ace Paul Skenes?
· Yahoo Sports
The Los Angeles Dodgers have been rolling lately and took their momentum into Pittsburgh to test themselves against the Pirates and starting pitcher Paul Skenes.
Skenes has been one of the best pitchers in baseball so far this season, tied for fifth with 89 strikeouts. Teams hardly score when's on the mound, his WHIP at 0.91, third best in MLB.
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The 24-year-old, Southern California native grew up in Orange County as a Los Angeles Angels fan. Historically, whenever Skenes goes against the "Boys in Blue," he's dominated. Skenes entered Tuesday with a 3-1 career record in four appearances against the Dodgers with an ERA of 2.70 and 33 strikeouts.
During their June 9 meeting, Skenes delivered seven strikeouts, including one against Shohei Ohtani. In six innings, he allowed six hits and two runs in 103 pitches.
The Pirates took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning on back-to-back solo home runs from Bryan Reynolds and Ryan O'Hearn. Reynolds went yard, sending it 422 feet out of the park, while O'Hearn blasted his 355 feet.
The Dodgers' first score of the game came in the second inning. The sequence began with Mookie Betts, who hit a double to center field. Max Muncy followed with a single to right field as Betts advanced to third. LA scored a run thanks to a sacrifice fly that Kyle Tucker hit to center field.
The Dodgers later tied the game after a Muncy single found a gap and bounced right past Pirates' second baseman Brandon Lowe straight into right field. Muncy was awarded an RBI as Freddie Freeman scored in the sixth inning.
That inning marked the end of Skenes' night. He was relieved for Wilber Dotel. The score was tied 2-2 as Skenes left the game.
Dodgers light up Pirates bullpen in closing innings
The Dodgers were relatively quiet throughout the game with Skenes on the mound. But LA began to find motion at the plate once Skenes was relieved. It was open season and Dotel was the victim.
The Dodgers exploited the Pittsburgh bullpen with 10 runs in the seventh inning.
Among the highlights of the inning: Freddie Freeman hit a milestone, cracking his 2,500th hit.
Dodgers missing starting catcher
The Dodgers were without starting All-Star catcher Will Smith against Pittsburgh.
Smith remained out of the Dodgers' lineup during Tuesday's matchup with the Pirates. He has been out since Saturday's game against the Angels with a stiff neck, according to Sports Illustrated's Noah Camras.
Dave Roberts said he was expected back on Sunday but Smith didn't play. The Dodgers had a day off Monday.
Paul Skenes stats vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
Here is the final look at Paul Skenes' pitching performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers:
- Innings pitched: 6
- Hits allowed: 6
- Runs allowed: 2
- Earned Runs allowed: 2
- Walks: 2
- Strikeouts: 7
- Pitch Count: 103
- Strikes Thrown: 62
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY Sports: Paul Skenes vs. Dodgers: Stats for Pirates ace