Max Muncy slugged two homers and drove in five runs to highlight a power performance by the Los Angeles Dodgers in a 9-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.
The Dodgers earned their sixth straight win and moved within three games of the NL West-leading San Francisco Giants, who lost to the New York Mets in 12 innings.
AJ Pollock and Corey Seager also homered as the Dodgers built a big lead early and cruised after outlasting the Pirates in a pair of low-scoring one-run games. Los Angeles beat Pittsburgh for the 16th straight time, extending its franchise record.
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Muncy jumped on JT Brubaker in the first inning, belting a two-run shot to left. Seager added an RBI single down the right-field line for a 3-0 lead.
Pollock hit a solo shot in the second and Muncy connected again in the fourth, making it 7-0 when he blasted a three-run shot to right for his team-leading 28th homer.
Seager added a two-run homer off Mitch Keller in the sixth.
The Pirates were held to three hits in dropping their fifth in a row and 15th in 17 games.
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The Dodgers' Justin Bruihl pitched 1 2/3 innings before turning it over to Mitch White (1-1). The right-hander allowed two hits in 7 1/3 innings. He struck out six and walked two.
Brubaker (4-13) gave up seven runs and eight hits in four innings. The right-hander struck out six and walked two.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Pirates: LHP Sam Howard (right oblique strain) came out of his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Indianapolis in good shape. “That's what we were looking for. The command will come,” manager Derek Shelton said.
Dodgers: OF Mookie Betts (right hip inflammation) may return next week after a rehab assignment that could happen as soon as Sunday. “The concern is the up and downs, the length of a game, and see if his hip will hold up,” manager Dave Roberts said. ... RHP Tony Gonsolin (right shoulder inflammation) will throw a bullpen on Thursday.
PUT A RING ON IT
A crowd of 52,140, the 36th sellout of the season, packed Dodger Stadium in anticipation of the giveaway: a replica of the team's World Series championship ring from last year.
UP NEXT
Pirates: After an off day, RHP Mitch Keller (3-10, 6.86 ERA) starts Friday at St. Louis.
Dodgers: It's a bullpen game on Thursday against the New York Mets in the opener of a four-game set.
