Zack Greinke continues so-low act in Dodgers’ 6-2 win over Pirates
Dodgers starter Zack Greinke receives an ovation from the crowd as he leaves the game against the Pirates in the eighth inning Friday night.
In the 95 years of baseball’s live-ball era, only two National League starting pitchers completed a season with an earned-run average of less than 1.75 and a winning percentage of more than .850: Dwight Gooden in 1985 and Greg Maddux in 1995.
Zack Greinke could be the third.
One of the most dominant seasons in recent memory continued Friday night, when Greinke pitched into the eighth inning and allowed only two runs and four hits in the Dodgers’ 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium.
The victory established a career high in wins for Greinke (18-3), who has a major league-leading earned-run average of 1.65.
Asked about the historic nature of his season, Greinke replied, “It seems like every month, someone’s making up some crazy stat. But it happens to other pitchers and players, too. I guess you guys don’t have enough to talk about sometimes.”
As for his win total, Greinke said, “A lot of it this year was just throwing more innings than normal. The deeper you throw into games, the better chance to get a win or a loss.”
This particular performance moved the Dodgers closer to third consecutive NL West crown, as they extended their lead over the second-place San Francisco Giants to 8½ games.
The magic number for the Dodgers to secure the division title is down to eight.
While their latest victory didn’t count more than any of their previous 84, this felt more significant, as it was over another team that should reach the postseason.
As was the case when they won two of three games against the Chicago Cubs last month, the Dodgers demonstrated how they could triumph in October.
With dominant pitching.
With solid defense.
With timely hitting.
The decisive blow was delivered by the team’s most dependable run producer, Adrian Gonzalez, who singled with the bases loaded to drive in two runs and extend the Dodgers’ lead to 6-1.
Their other runs were produced by unexpected sources that are suddenly considerations for places on the playoff roster.
The most unexpected of them has been Justin Ruggiano, a 33-year-old journeyman outfielder the Dodgers acquired from the Seattle Mariners at the end of last month.
A right-handed batter who specializes in hitting left-handed pitching, Ruggiano is batting .364 with three home runs, 11 runs batted in and eight runs scored in 11 games with the Dodgers.
Ruggiano manufactured the Dodgers’ first run almost entirely on his own. He led off the bottom of the first inning with a single off Pirates starter Jeff Locke and advanced to second base when Chase Utley was struck by a pitch.
Ruggiano and Utley attempted a double steal, which prompted an errant throw by catcher Chris Stewart that allowed Ruggiano to score and move the Dodgers in front, 1-0.
“Seems like he’s getting a hit every time he leads off,” Manager Don Mattingly said of Ruggiano.
Ruggiano doubled the Dodgers’ lead to 2-0 in the second inning, when he singled to left field to drive in Joc Pederson.
Greinke allowed a solo home run to Neil Walker in the fourth inning, but the Dodgers immediately extended their lead again in the bottom of the inning on a two-run home run by Corey Seager.
Seager’s blast to right field, which increased the Dodgers’ advantage to 4-1, marked the 21-year-old rookie’s first home run at his new home field.
The three-run margin was enough for Greinke.
The right-hander was uncharacteristically shaky in the first inning. With two outs, he gave up a double to Andrew McCutchen and walked Aramis Ramirez. He ended the threat by forcing Walker to ground out.
Greinke didn’t encounter real danger again until the eighth inning, by which time the Dodgers were leading, 6-1.
Greinke allowed the two batters he faced to reach base, after which he was replaced by left-hander Luis Avilan, who struck out Gregory Polanco. Avilan was promptly replaced by right-hander Chris Hatcher, who gave up a run-scoring single to Starling Marte. Hatcher recovered to retire McCutchen and Ramirez.
Up next
Left-hander Clayton Kershaw (14-6, 2.12) will face left-hander Francisco Liriano (10-7, 3.45) and the Pirates on Saturday at 6 p.m. at Dodger Stadium. TV: SportsNet LA; Radio: 570, 1020.
Twitter: @dylanohernandez
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