Chad Kuhl needed 62 pitches to finish two innings and the Pirates’ starter didn’t stick around long. Clint Hurdle didn’t make it to the end either in Thursday’s 5-2 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The NL-leading Dodgers exploited long at-bats to chase Kuhl after just four innings.
Hurdle took issue with Umpire Paul Emmel’s strike zone and was ejected after reliever Steven Brault issued a walk in the seventh. Hurdle shouted from the dugout when Emmel appeared ready to gesture strike three and instead let Justin Turner walk.
With Kuhl out early, the Pirates used four relievers to cover the final five innings.
The Pirates offense provided them little support. The Pirates totaled just five singles and a double.
The loss, which drew 22,115, concludes an eight-game home stand. The Pirates went 3-5.
The Pirates (61-67) trail the Cubs by 8½ games in the NL Central but the schedule immediately ahead gives them at least an opportunity to close the gap. They have 13 consecutive games against the Reds or Cubs, a stretch that starts with a six-game road trip to Cincinnati and Chicago. Pirates and Red tonight pre-game on WISR at 6:45.