‘Recharged’ Turner jolts Bucs
PITTSBURGH — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts’ decision to give Justin Turner a breather Saturday paid off nicely.
Not that the Pirates were putting up much of a fight.
Turner had five hits after taking a rest, Joc Pederson homered during a six-run sixth inning that featured consecutive bases-loaded plunkings and the Dodgers beat the Pirates 11-7 Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.
Turner had a perfect day at the plate, bouncing back after taking a day to deal with discomfort in his left shin.
“He just does so many things to help us win the ballgame,” Roberts said. “I thought he was recharged. His legs were under him.”
Matt Beaty had four RBIs and Corey Seager drove in two for the Dodgers, who got five innings of three-run ball from Kenta Maeda (6-2) in his return from the injured list. Los Angeles has won nine of 11.
Chris Archer (1-5) lost his fifth straight start. He allowed six walks and six hits over five innings of four-run ball, striking out just three while throwing 105 pitches.
Los Angeles poured it on against Montana DuRapau and Dovydas Neverauskas in the sixth. Two batters after Pederson’s leadoff homer, Turner singled and went to third on Cody Bellinger’s double, then scored on Adam Frazier’s error at second base. DuRapau walked Seager, then plunked Kike Hernandez with a 3-2 pitch to put LA ahead 7-3.
Neverauskas relieved and hit Austin Barnes with a bases-loaded pitch while giving up three more runs.