Shohei Ohtani reached a milestone with his 100th home run as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Still, the Pittsburgh Pirates capitalized on timely hitting and late insurance to secure a 9-7 victory on Tuesday night at PNC Park.
Ohtani, who also added two doubles in the loss, became the fastest player in franchise history to reach 100 home runs, doing so in his 294th game. The record was held by Gary Sheffield, who needed 399 games. Ohtani’s solo blast off Pirates rookie Bubba Chandler in the fifth inning was his 46th of the season and added to a historic night. However, it wasn’t enough to rescue the Dodgers from defensive lapses and key hits by Pittsburgh.
The Pirates (65-66) wasted no time jumping on Los Angeles starter Clayton Kershaw. The veteran left-hander gave up four runs on four hits and two walks in the opening frame, though he steadied himself to pitch through the fifth without allowing another hit. Kershaw (9-3) finished with five innings of work, striking out five but leaving the Dodgers (76-55) in a deficit.
After falling behind early, the Dodgers fought back. Teoscar Hernández lined a two-out RBI single in the fifth, and Andy Pages tied the game 4-4 by opening the sixth with his 24th homer. But the Pirates responded immediately against Los Angeles reliever Edgardo Henriquez (0-1). Henry Davis singled home a run, and Jared Triolo followed with a two-out, two-run double to restore Pittsburgh’s lead at 7-4.
Chandler (2-0), making just his third big-league appearance, delivered four innings of relief, allowing three runs on six hits. The 22-year-old right-hander has now recorded two wins and a save in his brief career.
Los Angeles made one final push in the ninth. Miguel Rojas walked to start the inning, and Ohtani laced his second double of the game, putting the tying run in scoring position. Pirates closer Dennis Santana, however, buckled down to retire the next three hitters and record his 12th save.
Triolo added insurance in the eighth inning. After drawing a two-out walk and stealing second, he came around to score when Nick Gonzales lifted a soft single into shallow center that Pages nearly caught with a sliding attempt. The extra run loomed as the Dodgers’ rally attempt fell short in the ninth.
For Ohtani, the achievement marked another milestone in his career. While he needed 444 games to reach 100 home runs with the Los Angeles Angels, he surpassed the mark far quicker with the Dodgers, underscoring his power surge since joining the reigning champions.
The Pirates’ offense was led by Triolo and Tommy Pham, who each drove in two runs. Davis added a key RBI as Pittsburgh snapped the Dodgers’ four-game winning streak.
Oddsmakers had Los Angeles favored at -170, with Pittsburgh listed at +145. The over/under of 8.5 runs cashed comfortably, as both teams traded offense throughout the night.
The series continues Wednesday, with Ohtani (1-1, 4.18 ERA) set to make his next pitching start for the Dodgers. He’ll face Pirates rookie Braxton Ashcraft (4-2, 2.58 ERA) in what promises to be a compelling matchup between one of the game’s biggest stars and an emerging young arm.