PITTSBURGH—Rookie Jared Jones pitched six shutout innings, and Jack Suwinski homered after being called up from the minor leagues as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 1–0 on Tuesday night, June 4.
Jones (4–5) allowed three hits to the National League West-leading Dodgers while striking out six and walking three. That strong performance came after the 22-year-old right-hander was touched for seven runs in 4 1/3 innings in his previous start, Wednesday at Detroit.
It was a thrill for Jones to face the Dodgers because he grew up a fan in La Mirada, Calif.
“I mean, my summers growing up as a kid consisted of going to Dodger Stadium,” Jones said. “Going out there, facing them for the first time, throwing up six zeros, and giving us a chance to win, that means everything.”
Jones threw a career-high 100 pitches.
“That’s no easy lineup to go through, and that’s an understatement,” Pirates Manager Derek Shelton said. “To go through it the way he did and continue to execute pitches was really impressive to see.”
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani went 1 for 4, striking out twice and grounding into a double play. Hours before the game, Ohtani’s former interpreter, Ippei Mizuhara, pleaded guilty to bank and tax fraud in a Santa Ana, Calif., courtroom and admitted to stealing nearly $17 million from Ohtani to pay off sports-betting debts.
Ohtani expressed relief after the hearing and thanked his team, family, and the Dodgers organization, “who showed endless support throughout this process. It’s time to close this chapter, move on, and continue to focus on playing and winning ballgames.”
Ohtani played in Pittsburgh for the first time. The Los Angeles Angels did not visit PNC Park during Ohtani’s first six major-league seasons before he signed a 10-year, $700-million contract with the Dodgers last winter.
Jones came out firing. His first three pitches were clocked at 100.4 mph, 100.3 mph, and 100.1 mph. The first pitch was high and tight to Mookie Betts and sent the star shortstop spinning out of the batter’s box.
Suwinski hit a one-out home run to right field in the third inning for the only run against Tyler Glasnow (6–4), who is winless in his past five starts.
“It feels good,” Suwinski said. “Just happy I could come up and help us get a win.”
Glasnow gave up three hits and two walks while striking out nine. It marked Glasnow’s first appearance in Pittsburgh since the Pirates traded him to Tampa Bay in 2018, and he readily admits he is a much better pitcher now.
“Then, I [stunk] every time,” Glasnow said. “So, definitely a stark difference for sure.”
It was the fifth home run of the season for Suwinski, who was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis earlier Tuesday.
Pirates closer David Bednar pitched a perfect ninth for his 12th save in 15 chances.
The Dodgers wasted two late-inning scoring chances. Gavin Lux doubled leading off the seventh, but was stranded at second. Then, pinch-hitter Andy Pages struck out to end the eighth with runners on first and third.
The Dodgers lost for the second time in seven games. The Pirates had dropped four of their previous six games.
