Reuschel Shuts Out Dodgers, 6-0; Valenzuela the Loser

Rick Reuschel pitched a five-hitter for his second consecutive shutout and Bobby Bonilla hit two homers and drove in five runs Friday night as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Dodgers, 6-0.

Bonilla became the first Pittsburgh player to hit home runs from both sides of the plate in the same game. His three-run shot from the right side completed a four-run third inning against Fernando Valenzuela (7-6). Bonilla hit a solo homer in the seventh off Ken Howell as the Pirates ended a four-game losing streak.

Reuschel (7-4) lowered his National League-leading earned-run average to 2.17 and won for the third time in his last four decisions. He pitched a four-hitter in the Pirates’ 7-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs last Saturday. It marked the first time Reuschel has pitched two straight shutouts since July 22-26, 1977.

Andy Van Slyke tripled to right field and scored on Bonilla’s grounder in the second inning as the Pirates beat Valenzuela for the second time this season.

Al Pedrique, who went 3-for-4 after bringing a .213 average into the game, doubled to left with one out in the third. Johnny Ray popped out, but Valenzuela walked Mike Diaz and Van Slyke singled, scoring Pedrique. Bonilla then hit a 1-1 pitch over the left-field fence for his fifth homer of the season.

Reuschel, pitching his league-high seventh complete game, retired 13 of the first 14 batters. He checked the Dodgers on two hits until John Shelby and Pedro Guerrero singled to start the seventh. Reuschel then got Franklin Stubbs to fly out and Mike Scioscia to ground into a double play.

Reuschel has completed his last four starts. He was in line for the victory in all six of his no-decisions, only to have the Pirates’ bullpen fail to hold the leads.