After winning the first three games of the series, the Dodgers failed to complete the sweep in Pittsburgh Thursday, falling to the Pirates 10-6.
It was a rough day for Dodgers pitcher Joe Blanton, who in his third start for Los Angeles, allowed eight earned runs over 4-1/3 innings. Blanton allowed seven hits, including two three-run home runs by Garrett Jones. Jones took Blanton deep in the first inning then again in the fifth inning. He finished the day 2-3 with six RBI.
The Dodgers played much of the game without centerfielder Matt Kemp and manager Don Mattingly. Both were ejected in the second inning for arguing balls and strikes. With Andre Ethier batting, Kemp was thrown out of the game from the dugout for yelling at home-plate umpire Angel Campos. Kemp wen't out on the field to argue and had to be restrained by Mattingly.
After falling behind 3-0 in the first inning, the Dodgers battled back and took a 4-3 lead in the top of the fourth inning. The lead didn't last long as Pittsburgh tied the game in the bottom of the fourth then took an 8-4 lead in the fifth inning. James Loney and Hanley Ramirez hit home runs for the Dodgers, it was Ramirez' second home run in a Dodger uniform after being acquired on July 25.
The Dodgers will travel to Atlanta to begin a three game series with the Braves starting Friday at 4:35 p.m. PT.
For more news and notes on Dodgers baseball, be sure to read True Blue LA. For more news and notes on the Pirates, be sure to read Bucs Dugout and SB Nation Pittsburgh.