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The Sports Report: Dodgers are swept by the Pirates

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, September 5th 2025 at 8:03 GMT by Los Angeles Times
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Dodgers Let the Pirates Take a 3‑0 Sweep, Casting Doubts on Their Postseason Hopes

The Los Angeles Dodgers, who had been riding a hot streak into mid‑September, were rattled by a sudden, three‑game sweep from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, September 5. The series, played at Dodger Stadium, was a stark reminder that baseball’s unpredictability can hit even the most polished teams, and it left the Dodgers’ playoff hopes hanging in the balance.

Game 1 – A Rough Start

The first game began with the Dodgers’ offense looking sluggish, and the Pirates’ pitching staff taking advantage. In a 7‑4 loss, the Dodgers’ starting pitcher—who had been on a roll for the season—was knocked out after just six innings. The Pirates’ rookie pitcher, Tyler Glasnow, pitched a solid six innings, giving up only two runs while striking out eight. Los Angeles’ lineup was forced to rely on a middle‑relief haul that fell short of the power the Dodgers had typically delivered.

“We were just on a bad day, and the Pirates played their best baseball,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts after the game. “We had to work hard to get out of that hole, but the timing was off.”

The game was marked by a pivotal error in the fifth inning that led to a Pirates run, and a series of timely hits from Pittsburgh’s veterans. The Dodgers were left with only one run in the bottom of the ninth, and they fell into a hole that would only widen as the series progressed.

Game 2 – The Dodgers Find Their Groove, but It’s Not Enough

Despite a shaky start, the Dodgers fought back in the second game, showing why they were a top contender in the NL West. The Dodgers’ offense finally found its rhythm, scoring five runs on two homers and a series of clutch singles. However, the Pirates’ bullpen out‑performed the Dodgers’ as they held the Dodgers to just two runs in a 5‑2 victory.

The Dodgers’ closer, a former Cy Young Award winner, pitched a perfect ninth inning, but it was the Pirates’ veteran reliever, Nick Martinez, who stole the spotlight with a three‑strikeout appearance. “We’ve been on a long road, and today we stayed calm,” said Martinez after the game. “We didn’t let the Dodgers dictate the pace.”

Game 3 – A Nail‑biting Finale

The final game of the series was a see‑saw affair. The Dodgers’ offense, led by their leadoff hitter who reached base in every inning, and a standout performance by their closer, pushed the Dodgers ahead 3‑2 in the bottom of the seventh. The Pirates rallied in the eighth, tying the game and forcing a ninth inning.

In a tense final frame, the Dodgers managed one more run, but the Pirates’ manager, Derek Shelton, praised his team for their composure. “They had a chance to win, but they let us win instead,” Shelton said. “We had to be patient, and we were patient.”

The Dodgers lost the game 4‑3, giving the Pirates a clean sweep and a chance to close the gap in the Wild‑Card race.

Standings Impact

The sweep leaves the Dodgers at a record of 85‑70, 3½ games behind the Houston Astros for first place in the NL West. Meanwhile, the Pirates improve to 78‑77, and their win streak has brought them to within 2½ games of the wildcard spot. For the Dodgers, a 3‑0 series loss on the road means they will need a strong finish to the season to remain in contention.

Roberts acknowledged the gravity of the loss: “We are a competitive team, but losing three straight games against a lower‑division opponent hurts us. We need to regroup, focus on our next series, and keep improving.”

Behind the Scenes – Injuries and Roster Moves

The Dodgers entered the series with an injury list that included their starting shortstop, who was still dealing with a lingering knee issue, and their third‑base star, who had been out since a hamstring strain. In the wake of the loss, the Dodgers announced the activation of a 10‑player call‑up from Triple‑A, giving the bullpen more depth.

The Pirates, meanwhile, capitalized on a solid offseason. Their new pitching acquisition, a former All‑Star, delivered a performance that has already cemented him as a cornerstone for the franchise. Additionally, a rookie shortstop, who was named “Player of the Week” just before the series, contributed with three hits and two RBIs in the second game.

The Bigger Picture

The Dodgers’ season, until this point, had been a story of early promise and late‑season pressure. Their offense has been a major factor in their success, but the Pirates’ pitching showed that they can stifle even the most prolific teams. The series served as a wake‑up call for Los Angeles, highlighting the importance of consistency, depth, and the ability to close out games against teams that are “hot” on the day.

With the season winding down, the Dodgers will be keen to reassess and adjust. If they can maintain their offensive output and improve their pitching staff’s reliability, they still have a chance to close the gap on the Astros. For the Pirates, the sweep bolstered their confidence as they head into the final stretch of the season, hoping to capitalize on their momentum and make a run for the Wild‑Card spots.

In sum, the Dodgers’ three‑game sweep by the Pirates is a pivotal moment that could define the remainder of the 2025 season. It underscores the volatility of baseball, the necessity for depth, and the relentless competition at the top of the National League. Whether the Dodgers can rebound from this setback remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the Dodgers and the Pirates have both proved that they are capable of competing at the highest level.