Dodgers 6, Pirates 2
LOS ANGELES -- Zack Greinke won his fifth consecutive start and rookie shortstop Corey Seager homered, boosting the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates before 49,529 at Dodger Stadium on Friday night.
First baseman Adrian Gonzalez had a two-run double in the seventh inning as the Dodgers (85-61) snapped a six-game losing streak to the Pirates. Pittsburgh (87-60) lost its fourth in a row.
Greinke (18-3) was charged with two runs on four hits with three strikeouts and two walks in seven-plus innings. He allowed a solo home run to second baseman Neil Walker in the fourth before retiring 11 consecutive batters. Greinke gave up a leadoff single to catcher Chris Stewart and a walk to pinch-hitter Michael Morse in the eighth before Luis Avilan relieved him. Greinke also was 2-for-2 with a double and a run.
Closer Kenley Jansen pitched a scoreless ninth for his 33rd save in 35 chances.
Pirates starter Jeff Locke (8-11) surrendered five runs (four earned) on eight hits with four strikeouts and two walks in 6 1/3 innings.
Left fielder Justin Ruggiano led off the bottom of the first with a single and advanced to second when second baseman Chase Utley was hit by a pitch. Ruggiano and Utley completed a double steal, with the throw to third by catcher Chris Stewart sailing into left and allowing Ruggiano to score for a 1-0 Los Angeles lead.
In the second, Ruggiano drove in center fielder Joc Pederson with an RBI single to make it 2-0.
Walker cut the deficit by smacking a Greinke fastball over the wall in center for a solo home run with one out in the fourth. It was Walker's 14th home run this season.
After a single by catcher A.J. Ellis, Seager delivered a two-run blast to right in the bottom of the inning for a 4-1 Dodgers' cushion. It was his second home run this year and his first at Dodger Stadium since Seager was promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sept. 3.
NOTES: Dodgers 2B Howie Kendrick was activated from the 15-day disabled list Friday after missing 34 games with a strained left hamstring. Chase Utley, though, got the start at 2B instead of Kendrick. Kendrick will be gradually eased back into action, manager Don Mattingly said. ... Pirates rookie INF Jung Ho Kang underwent season-ending surgery Thursday night on his left knee after suffering a torn meniscus and a broken tibia on a collision with Chicago Cubs 2B Chris Coghlan. ... The Pirates had a 0-48 mark when trailing after eight innings entering Friday's game. ... Pirates LHP Francisco Liriano (10-7, 3.45 ERA) will face Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw (14-6, 2.12 ERA) on Saturday.