May 8, 2017

Chris Taylor hit a a grand slam during a 6-run first inning, and the Dodgers crushed the Pirates 12-1 on Monday night at Chavez Ravine.

Yasiel Puig also homered in the 1st inning, and Alex Wood (3-0) pitched a 2-hit shutout in 5 innings of work.  Wood struck out 11 Pirates and walked only 1.

“I’ve got to continue to be consistent,” Wood said. “I’m just going to build off that, and get ready for the next one.”

The Dodgers jumped all over Pittsburgh starter Trevor Williams (1-2).  Williams lasted just 3 innings, giving up 8 runs (6 earned), on 7 hits.  He was filling in for Jameson Taillon, who had surgery on Monday for suspected testicular cancer.

It was Taylor’s first inning blast that put LA in the drivers seat.  “That really set the tone,” outfielder Joc Pederson said. “We built off that the rest of the game.”

Taylor and Pederson had three hits apiece.  Pederson, Yasmani Grandal, and Enrique Hernandez each drove in a pair of runs.

Ross Stripling pitched 3 innings of relief, giving up 1 run on 3 hits for LA.  Adam Liberatore pitched a scoreless 9th.

LA put Brandon McCarthy on the disabled list after he dislocated his nonthrowing shoulder in the weight room last week.  That resulted in Liberatore getting called up, and Wood getting the start, which the team announced early Monday afternoon.

The Dodgers will try to keep it rolling tomorrow night in game 2.  Julio Urias (0-0; 0.84 ERA) will get the start for the boys in blue, while the Bucs will give the ball to Ivan Nova (3-3, 2.14 ERA).