Dodgers News: Paul Skenes domination, LA signs former first-round pick

There's no shame in losing to last year's NL Rookie of the Year and the leading candidate for this year's NL Cy Young Award. When you don't score a single run against the Pittsburgh Pirates, however, there's cause for concern.

That's exactly what happened to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night. LA's bats were stymied by Paul Skenes and the Pirates' pitching staff. In total, the Dodgers recorded just six hits, with just two going for extra bases. Los Angeles was 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and lost to the Buccos by a final score of 3-0.

Dodgers News: Pirates starter Paul Skenes dominated LA's bats all night

Sometimes you just have to tip your cap to the opposing pitcher, and Skenes was his usually-dominant self on Friday night at Chvez Ravine. The Dodgers' bats had no answer for Skenes, who went 6 ⅓ innings, struck out nine, and didn't walk a single batter.

Andy Pages and Freddie Freeman both managed to record a double against Skenes, but the hard-throwing Pirates' right-hander beared down and didn't allow a single runner to dent the plate. Michael Conforto struck out twice, and Tommy Edman went down swinging three times against Skenes. The Bucs' starter put an exclamation point on his outing during the fifth inning by striking out the side, including Shohei Ohtani.

Things won't get much easier for the Dodgers on Saturday night with the Pirates sending Mitch Keller to the hill. LA will counter with Roki Sasaki. Hopefully the Dodgers' rookie gets more run support than Yoshinobu Yamamoto received on Friday night.

Dodgers News: LA signs former first-round pick Nick Senzel to MiLB deal

After playing 10 games in the Mexican League to begin the season, former first-round draft pick Nick Senzel signed a minor-league deal with the Dodgers on Friday. The Reds selected Senzel with the No. 2 overall pick in 2016, but cut him loose in 2023 after numerous unproductive and injury-plagued seasons.

Senzel has struggled to stay healthy throughout his professional career, and his positional fit has always been a question mark. Originally drafted as a third baseman, Senzel has played all over the outfield and logged time at second base as well.

Senzel was taken in the same draft as former Dodgers' infielder Gavin Lux. Like so many players from that year, Senzel never panned out. Perhaps a change in scenery will do him well. Senzel played for both the Washington Nationals and Chicago White Sox last season, and posted a 1.790 OPS with three homers and 10 RBI in 10 games in the Mexican League this season before the Dodgers picked him up.

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