Pederson homers, leads 17-hit attack, Dodgers beat Pirates

LOS ANGELES (AP) Nobody wanted to be left out Saturday, as the first seven hitters in the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup had multihit games, with Joc Pederson leading the way with a home run, double and single.

The Dodgers, who lead the majors in batting average and slugging percentage since the All-Star break, combined 17 hits and a pair of successful challenges for an 8-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

''We're just grinding as a team, putting together quality at-bats,'' Pederson said. ''We've been hitting balls hard for a while now. It was nice to get a game where everybody got a benefit from it.''

''The offense has been swinging the bat really well,'' he said. ''The bullpen has been doing really well. We've just been playing good baseball. We have to keep building on that.''

The Dodgers hit five doubles and used three Pittsburgh errors to win a game that did not see a 1-2-3 inning until the bottom of the eighth.

Pederson had his 17th homer, a two-run shot. Corey Seager also three hits and an RBI as Los Angeles overcame a 3-1 deficit by scoring in each of the first six innings.

Relievers Josh Fields, Julio Urias (3-2), Joe Blanton, Pedro Baez, Josh Ravin and Kenley Jansen combined to hold Pittsburgh to one run over 7 1/3 innings. Jansen got his 35th save.

A starter in his 10 previous appearances, Urias came with two outs in the third, and pitched 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief.

''It's a huge win for us,'' Pederson said. ''It didn't go the way we planned, but Julio stepped up big, and we were able to get some runs and win the ballgame.''

The Pirates, who had 10 hits to go with 11 walks, tied a franchise record by leaving 18 men on base. They left the bases loaded in the first and second innings.

''They were out there. We couldn't get them in,'' manager Clint Hurdle said. ''I don't think we were trying to do anything except fight, scratch, claw our way back into the game.''

Dodgers starter Brandon McCarthy was forced from the game in the second inning with right hip stiffness. He walked home runs in runs in both the first and second innings as he struggled with control for his second straight start.

''I just couldn't work through it. I think it's more game intensity. In the bullpen I can get through it,'' he said. ''I need to take some time and get the body right. I've got to get back physically to a good point. Whatever that takes, however long it takes.''

McCarthy walked five and hit one of the 13 batters he faced, throwing 29 of 51 pitches out of the strike zone.

Gerrit Cole (7-8) gave up 12 hits and six runs in 4 1/3 innings.

Jung Ho Kang hit his 12th home run and Francisco Cervelli had three hits for the Pirates. Pittsburgh had won 14 of 18 from the Dodgers before this loss.

The Dodgers needed their second successful challenge - and a 2:29 review - to take a 6-3 lead in the fifth.

Urias put down a sacrifice bunt to first baseman John Jaso, and Howie Kendrick broke home from third. Kendrick made a wide dive to avoid Cervelli's sweeping tag, and plate umpire Jim Joyce called him out. The call was overturned on replay.

The Dodgers tied it at 3 in the third thanks to a successful challenge and Kang's two errors on one play at third base.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Pirates: OF Starling Marte left the game in the eighth inning with upper back discomfort. ... Sidelined since July 2, C Chris Stewart (knee) began a rehab assignment Friday night at Double-A Altoona, catching seven innings. ... Cervelli returned to the lineup after missing two games with left wrist discomfort.

Dodgers: 3B Justin Turner was a late scratch from the lineup with a right hand contusion, replaced by rookie Dave Segedin. ... RHP Bud Norris (mild mid-back strain) was scheduled to make his first rehab start Saturday for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga.

UP NEXT

Pirates: RHP Chad Kuhl (2-0,3.91) gets the start on Sunday. The 23-year-old rookie made his MLB debut (5IP/3ER) against the Dodgers on June 26, outdueling Clayton Kershaw in Pittsburgh's 4-3 victory. The right-hander has allowed two runs over his last two starts.

Dodgers: LHP Brett Anderson, who underwent back surgery in March, makes his season debut for the Dodgers on Sunday. In three rehab starts, he went 0-1 with a 2.25 ERA in 12 innings. He was 10-9 in 31 starts with Los Angeles in 2015, and will be the 13th starting pitcher used by the Dodgers this year.