LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jack Flaherty struck out 10 in his Dodger Stadium debut, Shohei Ohtani’s two-run homer highlighted a five-run third inning and Los Angeles beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-5 on Friday night.
Flaherty (9-5) got the victory in his first start at home since joining the Dodgers from Detroit before last month’s trade deadline. The native of nearby Burbank made his first appearance at the stadium as a 6-month-old when his mother brought him to a game.
Flaherty was applauded when he exited with two outs in the sixth and the Dodgers ahead 9-4. The right-hander allowed four runs and nine hits in 5 2/3 innings while throwing a season and team-high 110 pitches.
Ohtani’s 448-foot shot to center scored Andy Pages, who walked against Mitch Keller (10-6). Will Smith added a two-run single and Miguel Rojas had a two-out RBI single that extended the lead to 6-0.
Teoscar Hernández’s two-out RBI single in the fourth made it 7-1. Kiké Hernández added a two-run shot on the 11th pitch from Keller with two outs in the fifth. His line-drive went off the glove of left fielder Bryan Reynolds.
Freddie Freeman homered with two outs in the first for the Dodgers.
Pittsburgh’s Oneil Cruz hit a solo homer to lead off the fourth. Joey Bart blasted a three-run shot with two outs in the fifth, closing the Pirates to 7-4.
Domingo Germán returned to the big leagues a year after he flamed out with the New York Yankees because of behavioral issues. The Pirates selected his contract from Triple-A Indianapolis.
Germán relieved starter Mitch Keller in the fifth inning against the Dodgers. He gave up two runs and one hit in four innings while striking out three and walking two.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Dodgers: RHP Walker Buehler (hip) could rejoin the team next Thursday during their series in Milwaukee.
UP NEXT
Pirates: RHP Paul Skenes (6-1, 1.99 ERA) starts Saturday.
Dodgers: RHP River Ryan (1-0, 1.72) is coming off 4 2/3 innings of two-run ball against Oakland last week.
