The Los Angeles Dodgers blew out the Pittsburgh Pirates during the series opener on Tuesday and looked to take the series with a win on Wednesday.
The Dodgers had to feel optimistic about their chances with Shohei Ohtani on the mound and leading off as the designated hitter. Unfortunately, their optimism only lasted until the eighth inning, and they now find themselves looking to win the series on Thursday.
Pirates 9, Dodgers 8: key takeaways
Kyle Hurt gives up go-ahead homer
The Dodgers’ bullpen continued to falter in June, as it has been the biggest Achilles heel recently. That was no different tonight as Kyle Hurt took over in the eighth inning and allowed three runs to put the Pirates up 7-6.
Hurt started the inning with a pair of walks to Nick Gonzales and Rafael Flores Jr. before allowing a home run to Tyler Callihan, who finished the game going 2-for-2 with two home runs, four RBI and three runs scored. The two home runs were the first and second of his career.
Hurt allowed a double to Jared Triolo before he was replaced by Jack Dreyer, who was greeted by a two-run homer from Spencer Horwitz to put the Pirates up 9-6.
The Dodgers’ five-run blown lead is their largest since July 30, 2024.
Shohei Ohtani excels until final inning
Ohtani appeared to continue his Cy Young-caliber campaign with another start of six innings while allowing just one run. But he was sent back out for the seventh inning, and things started to spiral for the Dodgers.
Up until that point, the only run the Pirates scored against him came on a solo home run from Callihan that cut the Dodgers’ lead in half to 2-1.
But in the seventh, Ohtani walked Callihan and allowed a single to Jake Magnum. With two outs, Brandon Lowe doubled in two runs to put the Pirates down by three.
Alex Vesia entered for Ohtani and got a ground ball, but Max Muncy made an error that allowed the Pirates’ fourth run to score.
In total, Ohtani finished his outing with 6.2 innings pitched, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits with six strikeouts and three walks.
The two-way superstar had a 1-for-5 day at the plate, but that’s not what he deserved. In the third inning, Ohtani slugged a ball to left field that should have been a home run, but Bryan Reynolds scaled the wall and made the catch to take away two runs from the Dodgers.
Ohtani did finally get his home run in the ninth inning, a two-run shot off Gregory Soto that put the Dodgers down by one with two outs remaining. However, they failed to complete the comeback.
Ryan Ward hits first grand slam
In a 2-1 game in the sixth inning, the Dodgers put together a rally, starting with a single from Andy Pages and walks from Freddie Freeman and Muncy to load the bases. Kyle Tucker got the first opportunity, but he struck out.
With two outs in the inning, Ryan Ward slugged the first pitch he saw into right field, and it cleared the wall for his first career grand slam. That was the Dodgers’ second grand slam of the season, and Ward’s third homer overall.
Prior to that point, the Dodgers scored first on a pair of doubles from Freeman and Muncy in the fourth inning, and Tucker also singled to drive in Muncy, putting the Dodgers up 2-0.
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