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 Left fielder Starling Marte and first baseman Pedro Alvarez hit solo
home runs to lead the Pirates to a 4-3 victory over the Los Angeles
Dodgers on Sunday in front of 47,483 at Dodger Stadium.
Pittsburgh has won five of its six games against the Dodgers,
including the past two, with Saturday night's win ending a four-game
losing streak. If both teams qualify for the National League
playoffs, they could meet in the Championship Series.
"If we get to play them, it'll be a good thing," Pirates manager
Clint Hurdle said. "We believe we can match up with anybody,
regardless of record. But experience does help. We know their
personnel better. We've seen them fresh. We've seen them late."
The Pirates increased their lead over the Chicago Cubs in the
National League's wild-card race to two games while staying within
four games of the first-place St. Louis Cardinals in the National
League Central. The Dodgers' magic number to secure their third
consecutive National League West championship remains seven games.
Right-hander Gerrit Cole (17-8) retired 14 of 15 batters from the
second through the seventh innings, including 11 in succession, with
a fastball that reached 98 mph. In seven innings, Cole conceded six
hits, three runs and no walks while amassing nine strikeouts, one
less than his season high.
"His stuff is really good," Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly said.
"He gets the ball on both sides of the plate. His change-up and
slider are coming at you at the back door, at times."
Hurdle expressed enthusiasm about Cole's performance.
"He had no walks with six three-ball counts, which is impressive,"
Hurdle said. "The fastball had life. It had finish. He's got a third
gear he can go to. What got him through seven was some grit, some
determination and a major-league fastball."
Left-hander Tony Watson and right-hander Mark Melancon each pitched
a perfect inning in relief, with Melancon earning his 48th save, the
most in the major leagues.
The Dodgers held a 2-1 lead when the Pirates used solo homers to
move ahead 3-2. In the top of the third inning, Marte propelled an
81 mph curveball from right-hander Mike Bolsinger halfway up the
left-field bleachers for his 17th home run of the season. Alvarez
followed suit in the fourth with his 25th of the season into the
right-field stands, courtesy of Bolsinger's 80 mph curve.
Pittsburgh added a run in the fifth to build a 4-2 advantage. Right
fielder Gregory Polanco bunted for a single, took second when Marte
grounded out and scored on third baseman Aramis Ramirez's single.
Los Angeles narrowed the deficit to 4-2 in the seventh on first
baseman Scott Van Slyke's solo homer, his sixth of the season.
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Bolsinger (6-4) allowed five hits, including two home runs, three
walks and three earned runs in 4 1/3 innings. The right-hander also
induced seven groundouts, including a double play, and finished with
four strikeouts.
The Dodgers took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Left fielder
Carl Crawford began by hitting a triple off the base of the fence
down the right-field line. Cole struck out second baseman Chase
Utley and shortstop Corey Seager, but right fielder Andre Ethier
lined a single to center field that scored Crawford.
The Pirates responded with an unearned run in the top of the second.
With catcher Francisco Cervelli at second base with two outs, Cole
hit a line drive off Bolsinger's glove. Bolsinger retrieved the ball
but his underhanded throw got past Van Slyke. With Cervelli rounding
third base, Van Slyke's throw to the plate sailed over catcher
Yasmani Grandal.
The Dodgers assumed their 2-1 lead in the bottom of the second.
Center fielder Joc Pederson lined a single down the right-field
line, stole second base and came home on third baseman Alex
Guerrero's single down the left-field line.
NOTES: Pittsburgh RHP Mark Melancon set a team record for saves in
one season Saturday night. Melancon recorded his 47th save,
surpassing Mike Williams' standard of 46 set in 2002. ... Pirates 3B
Aramis Ramirez and SS Jordy Mercer started at their respective
positions for the third straight game since INF Jung Ho Kang
suffered a broken leg Thursday. Kang played 77 games at shortstop
and 60 at third base before the injury. ... Los Angeles 3B Justin
Turner did not make Sunday's lineup. Turner left Saturday night's
game in the seventh inning with a sore left knee. 3B Alex Guerrero
made his 15th start of the season at the position Sunday... Dodgers
1B Scott Van Slyke returned to the starting lineup after missing
three games because of a cyst on his right wrist. Van Slyke replaced
1B Adrian Gonzalez, who experienced some back stiffness after
Saturday night's game.
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