LOS ANGELES — This time, the Pittsburgh Pirates left nothing to chance.
A day after equaling the franchise record by stranding 18 runners, the Pirates cleared the bases twice in the first inning with home runs Sunday on their way to an 11-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
"It was a lot of fun to be in the dugout today," said Josh Harrison, who had four hits. "It was almost like a flip of yesterday when they got out to a little jump on us. You know, it was good to go out there in the first inning today and put pressure on them right away."
Adam Frazier each had four hits, Sean Rodriguez homered and had four RBIs and the Pirates spoiled Brett Anderson’s return with a five-run burst in the first.
Rodriguez had a three-run homer and Jordy Mercer a two-run shot in the first to chase Anderson (0-1) from his first start since last October.
Anderson had back surgery in March and left following one inning with a mild left wrist sprain.
"Aside from blowing the back out again or hurting my elbow it’s probably about the worst way a first start back can go," he said.
The Dodgers were forced to use seven pitchers. Anderson struggled after Saturday starter Brandon McCarthy lasted only 1 2/3 innings.
In all, the bullpen was forced to pitch 15 1/3 innings over two days.
"To put our bullpen in that situation after McCarthy yesterday, to try and have them go nine innings, it’s embarrassing on my part," Anderson said.
Jung Ho Kang added a solo homer during a four-run ninth to help Pittsburgh win for the fifth time in seven games against the Dodgers this season.
Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle loved his team’s "resiliency after the way that we played yesterday."
Rookie Chad Kuhl (3-0) won his third consecutive start, holding the Dodgers to two runs and six hits over six innings.
"We obviously have a good team here, a great defence," he said. "I’m just trying to put the ball on the ground."
"We have the capability offensively to put up a crooked number in the first and keep adding on from there. As you can tell, it’s a very talented team," he said.
The Pirates have won each of Kuhl’s first six starts, the second-longest winning streak to start a career in team history. The Pirates won the first seven starts of Jim Nelson’s career in 1970.
"Regardless of who starts for us, we approach things the same," Harrison said. "What I got from him in his starts is he’s been very efficient. Pitching aggressive in the zone, that’s half the battle. Letting your defence work for you. He’s done a good job of going out there.
Joc Pederson hit his second homer in two games for the Dodgers, who’ve lost three of their last four and stayed one game back of San Francisco in the NL West. The Giants lost 8-7 to Baltimore.
LEADING OFF
Harrison has a .356 average (21 for 59) in 13 games as the leadoff hitter. He’s also scored 12 runs.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pirates: OF Starling Marte, who left Saturday’s game in the eighth inning with upper back discomfort, was a late scratch from the lineup. He was replaced in left field by Frazier.
Dodgers: 3B Justin Turner missed his second consecutive game with a right hand contusion. Manager Dave Roberts expects Turner back in the starting lineup on Tuesday in Philadelphia. … RHP Bud Norris gave up one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings in a rehab start Saturday for Class A Rancho Cucamonga. Norris will return to the Dodgers rotation on Thursday.
UP NEXT
Pirates: RHP Ryan Vogelsong (1-2, 2.67) pitches against San Francisco on Monday, making his first start against his former team since rejoining the Pirates at the beginning of the season.
Dodgers: RHP Kenta Maeda faces the Phillies for the second time in a week in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The rookie notched his 11th win of the season on Tuesday at home against the Phillies, giving up three runs and six hits over five innings.
