The Los Angeles Dodgers had an unexpected bullpen game as Tony Gonsolin lacked command in his 2021 debut, but Justin Turner and a string of relief pitchers helped lead the way to a 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Turner entered the night a career 15-for-31 (.484) against Pirates starter Tyler Anderson. It was the third-highest batting average in an active batter-pitcher matchup with a minimum of 30 at-bats.
Turner quickly raised it with a solo home run in the first inning, and again in the third with a long ball to left field. Of his 17 career hits against Anderson to that point, seven went for extra bases (four doubles; three home runs).
The multi-homer game was Turner’s first of the season and 11th in his career, of which 10 of those have come as a member of the Dodgers.
π π π π π π π by JT in the β΄1st! #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/OVsU7RMpv0
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 10, 2021
.@redturn2 has two HRs just three innings in! π₯ pic.twitter.com/X4t4V8L1CY
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 10, 2021
.@goooose15 would appreciate the cat-like reflexes from @kenleyjansen74 to finish the game. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/dXYuhYgnbY
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 10, 2021
The Dodgers had traffic later in the game but were unable to cash in on their opportunities, which kept the pressure on their bullpen.
Victor Gonzalez got them out of a bases-loaded jam in the second inning and worked a clean third. He was followed by David Price, Joe Kelly, Blake Treinen and Kenley Jansen. Kelly and Jansen pitched on back-to-back nights, with the latter converting a four-out save.
Jansen ended the game by snagging a line drive off the bat of Ke’Bryan Hayes, stranding the tying run at second base. “That was fun,” Jansen said of his play. “That was a quick rush. The adrenaline, everything.”
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The Dodgers now go for a sweep at PNC Park with a 9:30 a.m. PT start time for the series finale. It will air exclusively on YouTube as the MLB Game of the Week.
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