The Pirates took the early lead but struggled before putting away the Dodgers and Clayton Kershaw last night. Joe Block has the recap of a big Bucco win.
Manager Donnie Kelly credited Bubba Chandler for hanging tough after giving three earned runs. Chandler threw four innings and got his second win.
Jared Triolo had two more hits last night, extending his hot August into September. He says the two late insurance runs the Pirates got, on an Oneal Cruz RBI groundout and a Nick Gonzalez single in the eighth, were important.
Pirates starter Carmen Mlodzinski gave up only a run after loading the bases in the second inning. He says the Dodgers are a tough out.
The series continues tonight. The Pirates will send rookie fireballer Braxton Ashcraft [4-2, 2.58 ERA] against the Dodgers Shohei Ohtani [1-1, 4.18 ERA]. Airtime is 6:15 with the first pitch at 6:40 on WCCS.
Only three members of the starting nine for the Pirates on September 1st, 1971 are still alive, and all three were there yesterday as the team unveiled a historical marker commemorating the “FIRST MLB All-MINORITY LINEUP” alongside General Robinson Street at the site of Three Rivers Stadium. Manny Sanguillen, Dave Cash, and Al Oliver were joined by their teammate Steve Blass and by Roberto Clemente, Jr. for the ceremony.
