When it rains, it pours for Dodgers offense

Over the last four days, Mother Nature is the only opponent to keep the Dodgers offense in check. The Dodgers scored early and often, making quick work of the Pirates, 12-1, in the series opener on Monday night at Dodger Stadium.

Six of those runs came in the first inning, matching the Dodgers’ most productive frame of the season. Chris Taylor, making just his second start against a right-handed pitcher this season, delivered the big blow with a grand slam, continuing his torrid early-season pace.

Taylor also singled twice and walked on Monday, and in May is 7-for-11 (.636) with eight walks and seven RBI.

Joc Pederson delivered an RBI single in the first, an RBI double in the fourth, and another single in between. The three hits matched his career high, accomplished nine other times, and established a new season high.

Yasiel Puig added a solo shot in the first inning, his team-leading sixth of the season.

Andrew Toles was 2-for-5 and scored twice out of the leadoff spot. He has reached base in 10 straight games, hitting .378 (14-for-37) during that span.

All of that offense was in support of Alex Wood, who needed only a fraction of it. The left-hander took a no-hitter into the fourth inning, and struck out 11 in five scoreless innings for his third win of the season.

Wood allowed only two singles and a walk on the night, throwing 88 pitches. He now owns a 2.73 ERA on the season to go with 38 strikeouts and eight unintentional walks in 29⅔ innings, and a 31.1% strikeout percentage in 2017.

Monday particulars

Home runs: Chris Taylor (3), Yasiel Puig (6)

WP - Alex Wood (3-0): 5 IP, 2 hits, 1 walk, 11 strikeouts

LP - Trevor Williams (1-2): 3 IP, 7 hits, 8 runs (6 earned), 1 walk, 2 strikeouts