The Dodgers capitalized on a seventh-inning collapse by the Pirates after ace Paul Skenes exited the game, resulting in a decisive 12-3 victory. Skenes, the NL Cy Young winner, had a strong outing but was unable to stem the tide once he left the mound. Los Angeles scored six runs in the seventh, highlighted by Andy Pages' two-run homer and Freddie Freeman's milestone 2,500th hit. The Pirates managed only three hits after a promising start, marking their fourth consecutive loss and dropping them under .500.

By the Numbers
  • Dodgers scored 6 runs in the seventh inning, their largest single-inning output since June 2021.
  • Paul Skenes struck out 7 batters but now has a 4.50 ERA and is 0-3 in his last 5 starts.
Yes, But

Despite Skenes' strong performance, the Pirates' bullpen faltered significantly in his absence, raising concerns about their depth and ability to close out games.

State of Play
  • The Dodgers are showing strong offensive momentum with key players like Ohtani and Pages contributing significantly.
  • Pittsburgh's current four-game losing streak has affected their standing, now just 34-33 and one game over .500.
What's Next

In Wednesday's matchup, Shohei Ohtani will pitch for the Dodgers, aiming for his fifth straight win, while the Pirates hope to turn things around with Jared Jones on the mound.

Bottom Line

The Dodgers demonstrated their offensive prowess when facing a depleted Pirates bullpen, while Pittsburgh must urgently address its recent struggles to maintain a competitive position in the standings.