Pirates at Dodgers
The Pittsburgh Pirates accomplished a rare feat Saturday by keeping Cody Bellinger in check, but were unable to solve Clayton Kershaw. Pittsburgh looks to put an end to its seven-game losing streak by salvaging the finale of its three-game series against the host Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday.
Bellinger was held without a hit in Saturday's 3-1 victory for just the second time in 13 contests, ending a five-game streak during which he went 9-for-16 with three homers and eight RBIs. The 23-year-old needs two hits over the next three contests to eclipse the team record for most hits in March/April set in 2008 by Rafael Furcal (43). Kershaw allowed just one run and four hits with eight strikeouts over seven innings in the triumph over Pittsburgh, which has lost seven in a row following a five-game winning streak. Adam Frazier produced the Pirates' lone run with an RBI single that extended his hitting streak to five games. Pittsburgh has averaged 1.7 runs during its slide and has scored more than three only twice in its last 10 contests.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Trevor Williams (1-1, 2.59 ERA) vs. Dodgers LH Rich Hill (2018: 11-5, 3.66)
Williams recorded his fifth quality start in as many attempts this season Tuesday but suffered the loss against Arizona despite allowing two runs and four hits in seven innings. The 27-year-old Californian is winless in four turns since notching a victory in his season debut despite giving up a total of 10 runs over 25 1/3 frames. Williams has yet to defeat the Dodgers in his career, going 0-1 with a 6.43 ERA in three starts.
Hill will be making his season debut after beginning 2019 on the injured list with a strained left knee. The 39-year-old native of Boston ended last campaign by winning each of his five starts in September but failed to record a decision in the playoffs despite allowing only four runs and nine hits over 16 2/3 frames in three starts and one relief appearance. Hill is 4-2 with one complete game and a 3.28 ERA in 10 career turns versus Pittsburgh.
WALK-OFFS
1. Pirates OF Bryan Reynolds has begun his major league career with a six-game hitting streak - which is three shy of matching the franchise record set in 2014 by Gregory Polanco, who registered five multi-hit performances during his 11-game run.
2. The Dodgers did not hit a home run Saturday, ending their major league-record streak of 33 home games with one and their record-tying stretch of 14 straight contests at home to start a season.
3. Los Angeles activated C Russell Martin (back) from the 10-day IL and optioned C Rocky Gale to Triple-A Oklahoma City while Pittsburgh placed RHP Chris Archer (thumb) on the 10-day injured list and recalled RHP Michael Feliz from Triple-A Indianapolis.