Pirates Extend MLB Record With 17th Consecutive Shutout Over Dodgers

The Pittsburgh Pirates secured a surprising 3-0 shutout victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking their 17th shutout of the 2025 season and their first winning home record since 2018. Rookie pitchers Braxton Ashcraft and Mike Burrows combined for eight strong innings, effectively shutting down one of baseball's best offenses, with Ashcraft escaping multiple bases-loaded jams. The Pirates' offense was led by solo home runs from Bryan Reynolds and Andrew McCutchen, contributing to a series win against the Dodgers, who have struggled with runners in scoring position and pitching inconsistencies. Despite the Dodgers' star-studded roster and significantly higher payroll, the Pirates have outperformed expectations recently, winning 10 of their last 14 games and demonstrating their ability to compete with top teams. This upset underscores the contrasting trajectories of the two teams, with the rebuilding Pirates showing promise while the Dodgers have been inconsistent amid injuries and underperformance. The Pirates' recent success offers optimism for their future as they continue to challenge elite competition at PNC Park.