Pirates fight their way to victory vs. first-place Dodgers

Noah Hiles, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Sep 2, 2025

Published in Baseball

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PITTSBURGH — A four-run lead against the Dodgers wouldn’t be considered safe for most teams. The Pirates learned that lesson Tuesday evening but lived to tell the tale.

After surrendering its early advantage, Pirates manager Don Kelly’s club rallied back to plate three runs in the bottom of the sixth and kept the momentum going for the remainder of the night, paving the way to a 9-7 victory over the defending world champions at PNC Park.

Henry Davis put Pittsburgh back ahead with a single to left field off right-handed reliever Edgardo Henriquez, the game’s losing pitcher. His knock, which snapped an 0-for-41 streak with runners in scoring position, plated Andrew McCutchen, who led the frame off with a walk.

Jared Triolo added a pair of important insurance runs later on, doubling to left-center with two outs against Blake Treinen, giving the Pirates a 7-4 lead. Los Angeles battled back in the top of the seventh, scoring two runs against reliable right-hander Isaac Mattson.

The second run of that rally came after a controversial missed third strike call, where Dodgers catcher Will Smith fouled a check swing on a pitch outside the zone into Davis’ glove. The home plate umpire, not having seen the foul tip, called the pitch a ball. Smith singled home Freddie Freeman not long after, making it a one-run game.

The Pirates added an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh and eighth innings. The first came on a groundout from Oneil Cruz, plating Tommy Pham on a successful contact play. Nick Gonzales plated the second run, driving home Triolo with a two-out single.

Dennis Santana, after allowing a run to score, shut the door on the win, earning his 12th save of the season.

It was over when …

Triolo scored to make it 9-6 in the bottom of the eighth. He reached base with a two-out single and then stole his way to second, putting himself in scoring position. Gonzales then brought him home.

On the mound

Carmen Mlodzinski started the contest, allowing one run, which was earned, over two innings. Bubba Chandler took over at the start of the third where he finally surrendered his first big league run, which came via a solo homer from Shohei Ohtani.

The Dodgers tagged Chandler for two more runs throughout his outing, tying the score at 4. But after being hit around in the third and fourth, the Pirates’ rookie finished strong, throwing two scoreless innings to keep the game tied and eventually set himself up for the win.

At the plate

The Pirates started the game off with a bang, tagging Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw for four runs in the bottom of the first. Each of the Pirates’ first five batters reached base safely.

Pham broke open the scoring with a double to right field, plating a pair of runs. McCutchen followed with an RBI infield single. Alexander Canario concluded the rally with a sacrifice fly that scored Pham.

While Kershaw eventually settled in, throwing four shutout innings before handing the ball over to the bullpen, the Pirates bats awoke after his exit, resulting in five total runs throughout their final three trips to the plate.

Most valuable player

Triolo, who went 3 for 5 with two doubles, two RBIs, two runs scored and a stolen base.

Up next

The Pirates and Dodgers will continue their three-game series Wednesday at PNC Park. Three-time MVP Shohei Ohtani (1-1, 4.18) will face rookie Braxton Ashcraft (4-2, 2.58) on the mound. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m.