Andy Pages delivered a career-best performance, collecting four hits and four RBIs, as the Los Angeles Dodgers overcame an early deficit to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-2 on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers responded swiftly to a two-run first-inning deficit and cruised to a comfortable victory, closing out the series on a high note.
Pre-game betting odds favored the Dodgers, who were listed around -210 on the moneyline, while the Pirates entered the matchup as underdogs near +180. The projected run total was set at 8.5, a number surpassed largely by Los Angeles’ persistent offensive production across the first six innings.
Pittsburgh struck early in the opening frame against Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow. Andrew McCutchen hit a solo home run, followed by another from Enmanuel Valdez on the next pitch, giving the Pirates a 2-0 lead before Glasnow exited the game after one inning due to right shoulder discomfort. The injury prompted the Dodgers to turn to Ben Casparius for long relief. Casparius responded with 3 2/3 shutout innings, striking out five and allowing just one hit, earning his third win of the season. Yoendrys Gomez followed with three scoreless innings of his own to record a save in his Dodgers debut.
The Dodgers responded immediately in the bottom of the first inning. Freddie Freeman tied the game with a two-run single and Pages followed with an RBI single to give Los Angeles the lead. The Dodgers added a fourth run in the inning to take a 4-2 advantage, swinging the momentum firmly in their favor.
In the second inning, Mookie Betts extended the Dodgers’ lead with a sacrifice fly, scoring James Outman from third. The offense continued its surge in the fifth inning when Teoscar Hernández hit a solo home run — the 200th of his career — followed shortly by Pages’ two-run blast to left field, increasing the lead to 8-2. Pages added a fourth RBI with a single in the sixth inning to complete his standout day.
Pages has been in the midst of a productive stretch at the plate. Sunday’s performance marked the third consecutive game in which he recorded at least three hits. He has collected multiple hits in four of his last five games and continues to establish himself as a rising contributor in the Dodgers’ lineup.
The Pirates were unable to recover following their early success. Starter Bailey Falter, pitching near his hometown of Chino Hills, allowed seven runs — five earned — on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings and took the loss. McCutchen, one of the bright spots for Pittsburgh, finished with four hits, including his sixth home run of the season.
With the win, the Dodgers improved their home record and bounced back after a rocky start to the series. They will now turn their attention to the Miami Marlins, with right-hander Dustin May slated to start Monday’s series opener. May enters the matchup with a 1-1 record and a 3.68 ERA. The Pirates head back to Pittsburgh and will face the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday. A starting pitcher for that game has not yet been announced.
