James Outman broke out of his slump with two home runs and Jonny DeLuca hit the first of his career, but Evan Phillips blew a save opportunity in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 9-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Emmet Sheehan endured the first subpar start of his young career as he managed to pitch just 3.2 innings. Sheehan’s trouble began in the first inning when the Pirates loaded the bases after their first two batters were retired.
They scored two runs on Nick Gonzales’ ground-rule double and struck again when Jack Suwinski led off the fourth inning with a home run. Pittsburgh went on to load the bases and took the lead behind a sacrifice fly and two-run base hit with two outs.
In their last four games, the Dodgers have not had a starter pitch more than four innings. The stretch began with Julio Urías, who only managed to complete three innings in his first start off the 15-day injured list.
That was followed by 3.2 innings from Tony Gonsolin, then Michael Grove pitched four in the series opener against the Pirates, followed by Sheehan’s shortest start of his career.
Outman continued to do his part for the offense by hitting a second two-run homer of the night put L.A. back ahead in the bottom of the fourth. It marked a third multi-home run game for Outman, with each of them coming this season.
DeLuca pinch-hit for Jason Heyward in the bottom of the eighth and hit what held a go-ahead home run. DeLuca received a curtain call in recognition of his first career homer.
It had the makings of a game-winner, but Evan Phillips was not able to complete the save on his first time pitching three consecutive days. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said prior to the game that Phillips would not be available, along with Ryan Brasier and Daniel Hudson.
Two walks set the table for the Pirates in the ninth, and they also benefitted from calls by home-plate umpire DJ Reyburn going their way. Jared Triolo tied the game with an RBI single and Josh Palacios followed that with a pinch-hit, two-run double. The blown save was Phillips’ second of the season.
The Dodgers are 96-84-2 all-time on Fourth of July, and had their winning streak when playing on the holiday snapped at eight games.
Gavin Stone unable to provide Dodgers with length
In addition to the Dodgers recalling Michael Grove when Clayton Kershaw was put on the 15-day IL, they also optioned Victor González and added Gavin Stone back onto their roster.
Roberts said Stone was unlikely to start in any of the remaining games before the All-Star break and would instead be relied on for length out of the bullpen.
Stone’s first opportunity came Tuesday night, but he contributed just two innings. The Pirates scored a run off the right-hander in the sixth, though Stone limited the damage as he worked out of a bases-loaded jam.
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