Dodgers Take Game Two in Extras in Pittsburgh Yet Kershaw Misses Out on Another Win

Dodgers 5 10 1

Pirates 3 9 1

F/11

WP- Moylan (1-0)

LP- Mazzaro (3-1)

S- League (14)

HR- Snider (3)

The Dodgers were shut out in game one against Pittsburgh, but the Boys in Blue finally plated some runs in game two behind their ace Clayton Kershaw. Brandon Cumpton made a strong MLB debut for the Pirates, and he struck out the first four Dodger batters he faced. The Bucs got on the board in the first thanks to a high sailing throw by Hanley Ramirez. The Dodgers were able to get to Cumpton in the fifth and sixth, and Skip Schumaker made a game-saving catch in the bottom of the sixth to rob Russell Martin of a three-run homerun. Kershaw dominated per usual, and he only allowed three hits while striking out 8 batters.

Clayton Kershaw has a tough first inning, but he recovers nicely thereafter. Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Once again the Dodgers bullpen was unable to hold on to the lead. Chris Withrow allowed a run in the eighth after Donnie threw him into the fire for his second big league start. Kenley Jansen blew the save in the bottom of the ninth thanks to a solo homerun from Travis Snider. Kershaw unfortunately will not pick up the win again, and this reoccurrence could ultimately cost him the Cy Young Award. The Dodgers were able to put up two runs in the top of the eleventh, and Brandon League somehow got three outs in the bottom of the eleventh to pick up his 14th save. The Dodgers made things much tougher on themselves, but in the end they prevailed.

Brandon Cumpton, making his MLB debut, strikes out Skip Schumaker to open the top of the first inning at PNC Park. The right-hander also strikes out Yasiel Puig on a slider down and away. Adrian Gonzalez also strikes out, and Cumpton strikes out the side for his first MLB inning.

Clayton Kershaw takes the mound in the home half of the first, and Alex Presley promptly hits a double down the left field line. Jordy Mercer successfully bunt sacrifices Presley to third. Kersh walks Andrew McCutchen on four pitches. The home plate umpire is not giving Kershaw any wiggle room whatsoever, and another walk is given to Gaby Sanchez to load up the bases for former Dodger Russell Martin. Then the inning should be over when Martin hits a seemingly routine double play ball, but Hanley Ramirez makes the force out at second but sails a throw well over Gonzalez and into the stands for an embarrassing and costly error. Presley scores. Apparently the play is later changed to a fielder’s choice and RBI which becomes an earned run for Kershaw. Then with Neil Walker at the plate, Martin steals second base without a throw because no one is at second ready for a throw. Kersh strikes out Walker to end the inning. Kershaw allows one run on one hit with 24 pitches.

Cumpton continues where he left off in the first inning, and he strikes out Hanley Ramirez for his fourth consecutive whiff. Andre Ethier flies out to left. Mark Ellis strikes out, and Cumpton has already collected five Ks in his first two career innings.

Kershaw settles down a bit in the second, and he retires the side in order on two fly balls and a ground out.

Clayton Kershaw, who often has to take matters into his own hands when the offense fails to give him any run support, draws a two-out walk in the top of the third. Schumaker grounds out, and the Dodgers still remain hitless against Cumpton.

In the bottom of the third, Mercer draws a one-out walk. McCutchen flies out to center field, and Puig runs in front

Brandon Cumpton impresses in MLB debut versus the Dodgers. Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

of Ethier who was calling for the ball. He makes the catch, but it was close to a collision out there. This is the second time in as many games which Puig has almost collided with Dre out there on two balls which were for the center fielder. I know Puig is inexperienced, but plays like that could cause injury. The last thing we need is for both Dre and Puig to be hurt. Sanchez singles, and the Bucs have runners at first and third with two outs. Martin flies out to Puig to end the inning and the threat.

Yasiel Puig manages hit the first base hit off Cumpton for a lead-off single in the top of the fourth. Pedro Alvarez snags a chopper to third, and he turns and throws to barely get Puig out at second on a force. Ethier singles up the middle, and the Dodgers have two runners on with two out. Mark Ellis hits a two-hopper to short, and the force out is made at second to end the inning.

Kershaw pitches a scoreless fourth while striking out Alvarez and Brandon Inge.

A.J. Ellis singles with one out in the fifth for the third Dodger hit of the day. Kershaw lays down a successful bunt on two strikes, and A.J. Ellis advances to second. The Dodgers finally come up with a clutch hit in Pittsburgh. Schumaker singles to right field, and A.J. Ellis is able to come home to tie up the game 1-1! That’s the first time the Dodgers have been able to score in the series.

Kershaw pitches a nice 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the fifth.

In the top of the sixth, Adrian Gonzalez hits a ground-rule double over the wall in left center field at the farthest point of the park. Hanley follows with a single, and Gonzalez moves to third. That’ll spur a coaching visit to the mound for the Bucs. Andre Ethier singles to left. Not only does the run score but Presley lets the ball get away, and Ethier ends up at second on the error. That will be all for the rookie righty, and Cumpton leaves the game losing. Bryan Morris, another righty, will come out of the Pittsburgh pen to face Mark Ellis. Ramirez will jog in to home on a sacrifice fly by MEllis, and the Dodgers take a 3-1 lead. Uribe draws a walk. A.J. Ellis pops out to McCutchen in shallow center for the second out. Kershaw walks on four pitches for his second free pass of the game. That will load the bases up for Schumaker. Skip makes the third out on a little ground ball to second.

Brandon Cumpton pitched 5 innings and allowed 3 runs on 7 hits with 5 strikeouts and one walk on 76 pitches.

McCutchen leads off the bottom of the sixth with a single to left field. Sanchez is awarded first on a questionable call of catcher’s interference. The umpire seems to think the bat hit A.J.’s glove. Then Skip Schumaker makes an extraordinary catch to rob Russell Martin of a three-run homerun. He catches the deep fly ball over the wall, but that is just the first out of the inning. Kersh rears back to strike out Neil Walker. Alvarez hits a ball down the right line, and Gonzo knocks it down and throws it to Kersh who makes the out at first.

Yasiel Puig is enjoying his first road trip as a Dodger. Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Bryan Morris pitches a 1-2-3 inning for Pittsburgh in the top of the seventh.

Kershaw strikes out Inge, Travis Snider, and Presley in the bottom of the seventh. He made 113 pitches over 7 innings and allowed one run on 3 hits with 8 strikeouts and 3 walks.

Left-hander Justin Wilson comes in to pitch the top of the eighth for the Pirates. The flame thrower strikes out Ethier. MEllis flies out. Uribe grounds out, and the Dodgers go down in order.

Chris Withrow will pitch the bottom of the eighth in just his second big league appearance for the Dodgers. Mercer strokes a single over Hanley to lead-off. There’s an obligatory wild pitch, but Withrow walks McCutchen anyways. Withrow rears back and strikes out both Sanchez and Martin. Don Mattingly will now bring in lefty Paco Rodriguez to face Neil Walker. Walker singles to left field, and a run comes in for the Pirates. It’s now 3-2 Dodgers. Alvarez grounds out to end the frame.

We head to the ninth, and Tony Watson will pitch for the swashbucklers. A.J. flies out. Hairston grounds out. Schumaker grounds out.

Here comes Kenley Jansen in the bottom half of the ninth to try to capture the save for the Dodgers. Jansen whiffs Garrett Jones. Then Snider proceeds to blast a solo shot to center field, and the game is all tied up.

Mark Melancon will pitch the tenth for Pittsburgh. Puig flies out, and he ends up going 1-for-5 for the day. Gonzo also flies out. Ramirez grounds out, and the Dodgers roll over in the tenth.

Peter Moylan will get the ball in the bottom of the tenth. He strikes out McCutchen to start things off. Uribe makes a fine play at third to smother a hard hit ball by Sanchez. Martin walks, and Neil Walker doubles to the right field corner. Martin stops at third after Puig guns the ball back into the infield.  They intentionally walk Pedro Alvarez to load the bases up. Michael McKenry flies out to Puig in right, and the Pirates strand the winning run at third.

Vin Mazzarois in for the top of the eleventh. Andre Ethier doubles to the gap to lead off the frame. That’s his third hit

The scenic view from PNC Park. Photo: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

of the game. Mark Ellis bunts Ethier to third. Uribe bounces a single past Alvarez, and the Dodgers retake the lead 4-3! A wild pitch allows Uribe to take second. A.J. Ellis strikes out. Nick Punto comes off the bench and doubles to the gap! Uribe scores, and the Dodgers are now up 5-3. Schumaker strikes out, and he angrily slams his bat down.

We all hold our breath as Brandon League comes in to pitch the bottom of the eleventh. Snider pulls a Nick Punto and slides into first base ahead of Brandon League who is shoveled the ball by Gonzalez. Presley grounds into a force out. Mercer singles on a ground ball to third base. Uribe sort of rolls around but can’t make the play. Both runners move up a base on another wild pitch. Uribe makes the play this time, and McCutchen is retired on a ground ball to third. The runners have to hold. Sanchez flies out to Schumaker in right, and the Dodgers win!

The Dodgers improve to 29-38 on the season, and tomorrow they will go for the series win as well as their thirtieth win for the season.

Tomorrow the early 10:35 a.m. game will feature Zack Greinke versus Gerrit Cole in the rubber game.