LOS ANGELES (AP) — Max Muncy and Freddie Freeman homered and Julio Urias pitched six innings to assist the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2 on Thursday evening.

The Dodgers took three of 4 from Pittsburgh to tug inside a half-game of slumping Arizona for the NL West lead with two video games left earlier than the All-Star break.

Freeman, who will take part in his seventh All-Star Game, was 3 for 4 with three RBIs and two runs. He made a sliding catch, turned a double play and stole a base.

“That was a good fantasy night with steals and stuff,” Freeman joked. “It’s good. You just try to do the best you can every single night and I was able to be at the right spot at the right time.”

Muncy hit the go-ahead dwelling run within the sixth inning, a two-run shot to middle area for his twentieth of the season. Freeman led off the inning by legging out a double to the left-field nook, and Muncy then hit a 414-foot dwelling run.

Urias (6-5) allowed two runs on three hits, struck out eight and walked one, all in 88 pitches. He retired 11 in a row earlier than strolling Ke’Bryan Hayes to guide off the sixth. With Hayes in scoring place with two outs, Freeman made a sliding catch in entrance of the Pittsburgh dugout to retire Carlos Santana.

“This is Julio,” Dodgers supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned. “I think there was a little frustration and some embarrassment. He rolled up his sleeves. He competed like he always does. I just felt that he was truly on the attack from pitch one.”

Pirates starter Johan Oviedo (3-10) allowed 5 earned runs on six hits in 6 2/3 innings.

Freeman hit a two-run homer 415 toes to proper area within the first to open the scoring. Mookie Betts doubled main off and Freeman hit his fifteenth homer of the season.

Nick Gonzales hit a two-run double to left within the second inning to tie it.

Pirates hitting coach Andy Haines was ejected within the sixth inning for showing to argue balls and strike after Suwinski was out on a known as third strike that gave the impression to be low.

Brusdar Graterol, who had skilled proper shoulder soreness however didn’t go on the IL, pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the Dodgers.

Urias was pleased to get again on observe.

“It’s very frustrating. No one wants to go on the injured list,” Urias mentioned via an interpreter. “Everyone wants to be out here competing and do their thing and put their foot in the sand and help the team win. Obviously, the team came out and answered, and we got that win.”

PITCHING INJURIES CONTINUE

The damage bug continued to wreak havoc on the Dodgers’ pitching workers, a lot in order that Dave Roberts mentioned there was a “crazy” state of affairs wherein Noah Syndergaard might pitch out of the bullpen Friday however after Thursday’s sport Roberts mentioned he would pitch a simulated sport as an alternative. With Urias’ robust outing, the bullpen wasn’t taxed. Syndergaard - who's on a one-year, $13 million contract - can be wanted. He’s pitched terribly this season, going 1-4 with a 7.16 ERA earlier than being positioned on the IL. The Dodgers additionally recalled RHP Nick Robertson and LHP Alex Vesia on Thursday, and RHP Yency Almonte was positioned on the paternity checklist.

HOME RUN DERBY

With Muncy hitting his twentieth dwelling run of the season, the Dodgers have three gamers with 20 dwelling runs or extra. Betts has 23, J.D. Martinez 20.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Pirates: INF Ke’Bryan Hayes (decrease again irritation) was reinstated from the 10-day injured checklist and batted leadoff Thursday. RHP Roansy Contreras was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Dodgers: RHP Daniel Hudson was positioned on the IL with a sprained MCL in his proper knee suffered Wednesday. Hudson had was simply three video games into his return from a torn ACL in his left knee that he suffered a yr in the past.

UP NEXT

Pirates: LHP Rich Hill (7-8, 4.50) The 43-year-old makes the 239th begin of his profession because the Pirates begin a three-game collection at Arizona. Hill allowed three earned runs in 5 innings in a loss in opposition to Milwaukee in his final begin.

Dodgers: RHP Tony Gonsolin (4-3, 3.69 ERA) gave up 4 earned runs and was chased within the fourth inning in a 9-1 loss Sunday at Kansas City. He’ll begin the primary of a two-game collection in opposition to the Angels. The Dodgers gave away his bobblehead Thursday.

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