Turner's 2 HRs, strong bullpen lead Dodgers over Pirates 2-1

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Justin Turner hit two home runs and the Los Angeles Dodgers got 7 1/3 scoreless innings from their bullpen in a rain-delayed 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.

Turner belted a 409-foot drive to the visitors’ bullpen in center field in the first inning to open the scoring.

Then he broke a 1-all tie in the third with a solo shot to left field. Pirates rookie Ka’ai Tom nearly made an outstanding catch, but the ball came out of his glove when he hit the fence.

It was the 11th multi-homer game of Turner’s career. He has 11 home runs this season.

Turner had three hits and both his home runs came off Tyler Anderson (3-6). Turner is 17 for 34 against the left-hander with three homers.

“Anderson has kind of a funky delivery, and those guys typically give hitters with leg kicks like Justin fits,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “But Justin sees him well and we needed every bit of his output tonight.”

Anderson doesn’t have an answer for his troubles with Turner.

“I don’t know,” Anderson said. “I feel like my pitches land where he swings.”

The Dodgers have won 12 straight games against Pittsburgh dating to 2018.

Five relievers blanked the Pirates after starter Tony Gonsolin failed to make it through the second inning of his season debut. Gonsolin had been sidelined by right shoulder inflammation.

Victor Gonzalez (3-0) followed Gonsolin and pitched 1 1/3 perfect innings for the win.

“The buy-in from those guys has been fantastic,” Roberts said of his relievers. “When your name is called, you go as hard as you can for as long as you can and get outs.”

Kenley Jansen got four outs for his 14th save, including snaring Ke’Bryan Hayes’ liner back to the box for the final out with a runner on...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Turner-s-2-HRs-strong-bullpen-lead-Dodgers-over-16237499.php