Triple-G.
No, not the boxer, but Curtis Granderson, Yasmani Grandal, and Adrian Gonzalez all hit home runs to form their own Triple-G as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-2, on Thursday at PNC Park.
The victory gave the Dodgers three-of-four in the series, with the only loss coming in a one-hit, 10-inning performance from Rich Hill that saw him have a perfect game through eight innings, a no-hitter through nine innings, only to lose on a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 10th.
Grandal and Gonzalez went back-to-back in the eighth inning as the Dodgers pulled away from the Pirates with two much needed insurance runs.
Granderson hit his 22nd homer run of the year, and third in just six games with the Dodgers when he sent a sinker from Chad Kuhl into the Allegheny river.
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Hyun-Jin Ryu (5-6) held the Pirates to one run over six innings. Brandon Morrow worked the ninth for his first save since 2009. Los Angeles improved to 90-36, becoming the 12th team in major league history to reach the 90-win plateau in 126 games.
Chad Kuhl (6-8) struggled with his command, walking five in just four innings. Jordy Mercer hit an RBI double but it wasn't enough for the struggling Pirates, who have dropped nine of 12 to fall well back in the NL Central.
Less than 24 hours after straning 11 men on base and not scoring a single run, the Dodgers scored five in the finale with Pittsburgh on Thursday.
Enrique Hernandez, starting at shorstop, had two hits and knocked in a run as he celebrated his 26th birthday.
Adam Frazier's RBI single off former Pirate closer Tony Watson in the seventh drew the Pirates back within one but Los Angeles reliever Pedro Baez struck out Andrew McCutchen with the tying run on second. Pittsburgh left nine men on base and went 2 for 7 with runners in scoring position.
Grandal and Gonzalez greeted Pittsburgh rookie reliever Angel Sanchez to the majors by homering on consecutive pitches in the eighth.
HE'S OUTTA HERE
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle was ejected for arguing balls and strikes with home plate umpire Paul Emmel with two on and two outs in the seventh. Emmel flinched as if he was going to call strike three on a full-count pitch to Taylor but instead ruled the pitch ball four.
KANG TO DOMINICAN?
The Pirates are hoping to land third baseman Jung Ho Kang a spot in the Dominican League this fall. Kang hasn't played this season due to visa problems after being arrested and later convicted on DUI charges in his native South Korea during the offseason. Kang is currently on the team's restricted list. The Dominican League starts in late October and runs through December.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (lower back strain) traveled to Dallas on Thursday and will get to spend a day in his hometown on Friday before heading north to make a rehab start for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Saturday. The three-time Cy Young Award winner hasn't pitched since leaving a victory over Atlanta on July 23 after two innings.
Pirates: C Francisco Cervelli (left wrist inflammation) was eligible to come off the 10-day disabled list on Thursday but the team decided to put him through a workout instead and will re-evaluate his situation on Friday.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: Return home to welcome Milwaukee for a three-game series starting Friday. Kenta Maeda (11-5, 3.88) is 7-2 with a 2.83 ERA over his last 10 starts.
Pirates: Start a six-game road trip on Friday in Cincinnati. Ivan Nova (11-10, 3.81 ERA) is 0-2 with a 5.25 ERA against the Reds this season.
