Dodgers Highlights: CT3 Savior, Syndergaard Struggles vs Bucs, Michael Busch Gets First Career Hit

The good vibes of the winning streak continued on an unlikely come from behind win for the Dodgers! After an ugly start to the game in Pittsburgh, the LA bats valiantly battled back to get Noah Syndergaard off the hook after his worst start yet as a Dodger. Rookie infielder Michael Busch made his MLB debut and picked up his first career hit while CT3 played the hero of the game.

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Let’s get into the highlights.

Things started out nicely for the boys in blue as Miguel Vargas drove in a pair of runs to put LA up 2-0 in the first inning. It was an end-cap double that sure looks like a line drive in the box score.

The Pirates scored 7 runs off Syndergaard across the 1st, 2nd, and 4th innings… but we don’t really need to talk about those. The biggest dagger, however, came off the bat of Andrew McCutchen.

Flashing forward to the top of the 6th inning, Michael Busch got his first career knock in the show with this RBI single. Shoutout to the game broadcast for the family shot and all the happy little Busches.

Busch ended up going 1-3 with a walk, an RBI, and a run scored in his debut. The run scored came right after his walk as Chris Taylor connected on a massive go-ahead home run in the 8th, giving the Dodgers the 8-7 advantage.

Taylor ended up with a sneaky 3 hit game, his first since the final game of the 2022 regular season.

The Pirates made things uncomfortably interesting in the bottom of the 8th, loading the bases with two out and McCutchen coming up again but Caleb Ferguson was able to escape the jam he created by getting Cutch to pop up to Austin Barnes to end the threat.

Shout out to Dave Roberts for trusting Ferg in the moment.

The Dodgers missed out on scoring an insurance run in the top of the 9th. They had runners on the corners with 1 out when Trayce Thompson was thrown out at home plate on a Vargas groundout to third. He was running on contact. David Peralta was robbed on a fine play by veteran first baseman Carlos Santana.

Hero of the Game

“It’s no secret I’ve been grinding a little bit and just to help the team out it felt really good to come up big in a spot like that.”

Chris Taylor after the game.

One Important Note

Dodgers rookie batters went 5-12 with 2 walks, 3 RBI, and 3 runs scored in the game.

The youth movement is real for Los Angeles.

Dodgers Pitching

In short, Noah Syndergaard was bad. He was shelled for 7 runs on 9 hits in just 4 innings. He recorded just 2 strikeouts. He’ll remain in the starting rotation for now but it’s hard to imagine the team sitting through too many more of these kind of games. Since his first start of the year, the right-hander has an 8.10 ERA (18 ER, 20 IP).

The bullpen was lights out after Thor exited the game. Victor Gonzalez (making his first MLB appearance in about 16 months) combined with Evan Phillips, Yency Almonte, Caleb Ferguson and Shelby Miller for 5 scoreless innings. LA relievers allowed just 3 hits while striking out 6.

For Miller, it was his first career save and helped the Dodgers complete the 5 run come from behind win.

What’s Up Next for the Dodgers?

Tony Gonsolin will make his 2023 debut for the Dodgers as they look to keep the streak alive in Pittsburgh. The Pirates counter with RHP Roansy Contreras.