Dodgers Chase their own tail in 8-6 loss to Pirates

The Dodgers played a game of chase the dragon.

The Los Angeles Dodgers scratched and clawed to get back into the game multiple times, but were unable to complete the comeback in their 8-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night at PNC Park.

Jameson Taillon had LA chasing their tail all night as the Pirates staked an early 4-0 lead for their rookie pitcher.

Pittsburgh put up four runs on Nick Tepesch—who made his Dodgers debut—in the second inning surrendering two doubles and three singles as the Bucs beat up on the right-hander.

The Dodgers scored two in the top of the third to get back into the game, but the Pirates added another run in the bottom half to extend their lead to 5-2.

After a scoreless fourth, LA added two more in the top of the fifth, but the Pirates tacked on two more in the bottom half.

The cat-and-mouse game continued as the Dodgers got two more runs in the top of the sixth, one courtesy of a solo blast from right-fielder Yasiel Puig.

Jung Ho Kang and Matt Joyce both homered for the Pirates as Pittsburgh never relinquished the lead despite the best efforts by the boys in blue.

Tepesch (0-1) took the loss in his 2016 MLB debut, allowing five runs on seven hits in four innings. Tepesch was activated for a spot start before the game, but will more than likely get sent back to Triple-A Oklahoma City tomorrow. 

His counterpart, Taillon, didn't fare much better, allowing four runs on eight hits with two strikeouts in four innings for the Pirates.

Pittsburgh reliever, Neftali Feliz (2-0), vultured the win from Taillon's talons, allowing no runs in 1 and 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Mark Melancon worked the ninth for his 21st save of the season.

The loss snaps LA's six-game winning streak, and is just the Pirates third victory in their last 16 games. 

Players of the Game:

Yasiel Puig: 2-for-4 with a home run.
Matt Joyce: 3-for-4 with a double, home run and two RBI.
Corey Seager: 4-for-5 with a double, RBI and run scored. 

Three Takeaways:

1. Opening Night: A couple of players made debuts on Friday. Before the game, the Dodgers purchased the contract of pitcher Nick Tepesch from Triple-A Oklahoma City, designating outfielder Will Venable for assignment. It was Tepesch's 40^th career start, but his first of 2016 and first with the Dodgers. Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman, Adam Frazier, made his Major League debut during a double-switch and promptly singled in his first career at-bat.

Congrats to the newest member of the @Mlb @Pirates @A_Fraz12 Really proud of you Adam Frazier!!! #hardworkpaysoff — John Cohen (@Coach_Cohen) June 24, 2016

2. Rib-Tickler: Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander, Frankie Montas, was expected to make the start on Friday, but it was announced before the game that he had a broken rib and would be out for the next 4-8 weeks. Montas had surgery to relocate a rib in February.

Sources: #Dodgers RHP Frankie Montas has broken rib, expected to be out 4 to 8 weeks. Had surgery to remove first right rib in February. 1/2 — Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) June 24, 2016

3. Puig Power: Yasiel Puig blasted a solo home run for Los Angeles in the top of the sixth inning and is now 5-for-10 since he was activated from the disabled list on Tuesday. Puig's blast was hit so far, the Pirates did not even move on contact as they watched the ball fly out of the park.

��, ��, and Away! pic.twitter.com/YhTRpgTSeb — Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 25, 2016

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