Dodgers blank the Pirates behind Ross Stripling, trio of homers

Ross Stripling continued his dominance as a starter, delivering five scoreless innings to compliment a trio of home runs for the Dodgers in a 5-0 win over the Pirates.

Coming off an excellent month of May that saw the right-hander give up just four runs over five starts, Stripling blanked Pittsburgh to lower his ERA to 1.52 on the year. It was the fourth time in the past five starts the 28-year-old didn’t allow a walk, striking out seven and scattering four hits.

Stripling has a 1.02 ERA since the start of May, allowing just four runs in 35 innings while striking out 48 and walking only four.

With the win, the Dodgers moved back to .500 for the first time since April 24 and have now won 14 of their last 18.

Joc Pederson had just one homer this season in 53 games heading into the weekend in Colorado. After two homers Saturday, the lefty has seemingly found his power, hitting a two-run homer in the second inning to give the Dodgers an early lead.

The homer Tuesday came off Joe Musgrove, who Pederson has hit well. It was the third homer in three at-bats against Musgrove including the two in the 2017 World Series.

Since April 25, Pederson is hitting .290/.354/.520 with eight doubles, three triples and three homers.

Yasiel Puig chipped in a solo shot in the fourth inning and Cody Bellinger contributed one of his own in the sixth, making Tuesday their fourth straight game with three homers. That streak ties a franchise record set in 1954 and equaled in 2017.

Up next

The Dodgers go for their fifth straight win as they send Caleb Ferguson to the mound in his major league debut. Trevor Williams (5-3, 3.84) will take the ball for Pittsburgh.

Tuesday particulars

Home runs: Joc Pederson (4), Yasiel Puig (7), Cody Bellinger (9)

WP - Ross Stripling (4-1): 5 IP, 4 hits, 7 strikeouts

LP - Joe Musgrove (2-1): 5 IP, 6 hits, 4 runs, 1 walk, 5 strikeouts