| Joe Gutierrez. 13th April, 2006 - 1:33 am
 Dodgers’ pitcher Brett Tomko’s first four innings against the Pirates went smoothly and was on pace for his second win of the season. But the fifth inning proved to be the beginning of the end for Tomko as the long ball played the difference maker.
The Pirates were able to defeat the Dodgers in a final of 9-5, with one more game coming between the two clubs tomorrow in Pittsburgh.
The first inning saw LF Jose Cruz Jr. give LA another early lead when he smacked his first home run of the year, a solo shot to left field. Cruz Jr. had three hits tonight and continues to give production from the number two spot in the lineup.
2B Jeff Kent snapped his slump when he singled in Cruz Jr. in the third. Kent hasn’t produced an RBI since Opening Day when he knocked in four. 1B Olmedo Saenz continued his hitting tirade in Pittsburgh as he singled in RF J.D. Drew, putting Los Angeles up by three.
In the Pirates fourth, 3B Freddy Sanchez homered to left on the first pitch he saw from Tomko, and the lead was at two runs for LA. The fifth was Tomko’s demise as he would give up four runs, which put the Dodgers down by two this time. SS Jack Wilson hit his third home run of the year, scoring CF Chris Duffy. 1B Craig Wilson would then hit the second two-run homer of the inning to left field, while Pittsburgh went up by two.
Dodgers tied the score at five in the sixth on a double by pinch hitter Cody Ross, and an infield single by SS Rafael Furcal. Hong-Chih Kuo delivered a 1-0 pitch to first baseman Wilson, who then smacked the ball to right for his second home run of the day. Yhency Brazoban pitched the eighth but allowed two runs, putting the Pirates up by four and the win.
Final Score: Dodgers 5, Pirates 9
Coming Up
Derek Lowe seeks his first win of the year, as LA concludes their four game series against the Pirates’ Oliver Perez
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