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 "This has been the most consistent I've been ever," Greinke said.
Greinke won his fifth consecutive start and rookie shortstop Corey
Seager homered, boosting the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-2 victory
over the Pittsburgh Pirates before 49,529 at Dodger Stadium on
Friday night.
First baseman Adrian Gonzalez had a two-run double in the seventh
inning as the Dodgers (85-61) snapped a six-game losing streak to
the Pirates. Pittsburgh (87-60) lost its fourth in a row.
The National League West-leading Dodgers reduced their magic number
to eight in clinching the division title after the San Francisco
Giants dropped a 2-0 decision to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday.
Greinke (18-3), who reached a career high in wins, was charged with
two runs on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks in
seven-plus innings. He allowed a solo home run to second baseman
Neil Walker in the fourth before retiring 11 consecutive batters.
Greinke believes his performance this year tops the one in 2009,
when he captured the American League Cy Young award as a member of
the Kansas City Royals.
"That year, I went through a rough month, where I kind of changed
things, gave up six runs like a couple of games in a row. That
hasn't happened yet this season," said Greinke, who leads the major
leagues with a 1.65 ERA. In 19 of his 30 starts, Greinke has worked
seven innings or more and allowed two or fewer runs 24 times.
"A lot of things good have happened. I made a couple of mechanical
changes two years ago with (pitching coach Rick) Honeycutt and it's
kind of gotten better the longer I've done it. Then, a couple of
pitches have gotten better and more consistent. Our defense has been
very solid. There isn't a weak spot in our defense this year."
Greinke gave up a leadoff single to catcher Chris Stewart, who had
two of the Pirates' four hits off the right-hander, and a walk to
pinch-hitter Michael Morse in the eighth before Luis Avilan relieved
him. Greinke also was 2-for-2 with a double and a run.
"He was really good," Seager said of Greinke.
Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle called Greinke a tactician.
"He gives you strikes. He just doesn't give you good strikes,"
Hurdle said. "This guy can pitch. He's got 18 wins for a reason, the
ERA is what it is for a reason."
Closer Kenley Jansen pitched a scoreless ninth for his 33rd save in
35 chances.
Pirates starter Jeff Locke (8-11) surrendered five runs (four
earned) on eight hits with four strikeouts and two walks in 6 1/3
innings.
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Dodgers left fielder Justin Ruggiano led off the bottom of the first
with a single and advanced to second when second baseman Chase Utley
was hit by a pitch. Ruggiano and Utley completed a double steal,
with the throw to third by Stewart sailing into left and allowing
Ruggiano to score for a 1-0 Los Angeles lead.
In the second, Ruggiano drove in center fielder Joc Pederson with an
RBI single to make it 2-0.
Walker cut the deficit by smacking a Greinke fastball over the wall
in center for a solo home run with one out in the fourth. It was
Walker's 14th home run this season.
After a single by catcher A.J. Ellis, Seager delivered a two-run
shot to right in the bottom of the inning for a 4-1 Dodgers'
cushion. It was his second home run this year and his first at
Dodger Stadium since Seager was promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City
on Sept. 3.
"It was a blast," said Seager, who is batting .412 with two home
runs and 10 RBIs in 14 big-league games. "The first one you're in
such awe but the first one at home was a lot of fun, too. I was in
cloud nine running around the bases."
NOTES: Dodgers 2B Howie Kendrick was activated from the 15-day
disabled list Friday after missing 34 games with a strained left
hamstring. Chase Utley, though, got the start at 2B instead of
Kendrick, who did not play. Kendrick will be gradually eased back
into action, manager Don Mattingly said. ... Pirates rookie INF Jung
Ho Kang underwent season-ending surgery Thursday night on his left
knee after suffering a torn meniscus and a broken tibia in a
collision with Chicago Cubs 2B Chris Coghlan. ... The Pirates are
0-49 when trailing after eight innings. ... Pirates LHP Francisco
Liriano (10-7, 3.45 ERA) will face Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw
(14-6, 2.12 ERA) on Saturday.
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