The Los Angeles Dodgers completed their six game road trip Wednesday, compiling a 4-2 record along the way. Normally that would be a good winning percentage on the road; the Dodgers dropped two of three to the Pittsburgh Pirates, when they should have won two of the three.

Ryan Pepiot made his major league debut Wednesday afternoon at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. He struck out the first batter of the game on four pitches, including the strikeout pitch on his much vaunted curveball.

Pepiot struggled with his command, allowing multiple base runners in each inning he pitched. He allowed two walks in the first, two walks and a hit-by-pitch in the second, and a walk and a hit in the third. But he managed to escape all three innings without allowing a run. He threw 77 pitches over those three innings, 41 for strikes. Pepiot also struck out three batters.

Evan Phillips replaced him and continued his 2022 dominance, allowing only one hit over an inning and a third.

After a huge offensive outburst on Tuesday night, when the Dodgers exploded for a season high 11 runs, Los Angeles had a hard time getting on base in the matinee game. The bullpen staff of the Pirates held the Dodgers to only two hits through the first five innings.

Tommy Kahnle entered in the sixth inning, and promptly gave up a homer, a hit, and another homer and the Dodgers were quickly down 3-0.

Los Angeles answered with three runs of their own on the top of the seventh when Edwin Rios hit a bases loaded double with no outs. The Dodgers loaded the bases again, but Max Muncy looked at strike three down the middle on a full count and the Dodgers failed to score again in the game.

Daniel Hudson gave up a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh, and Brusdar Graterol allowed another run in the bottom of the eighth and the Dodgers lost 5-3.

After the game, Muncy talked about why he didn’t move to swing on the last pitch of the at bat “ I assumed he (Wil Crowe) didn’t have the guts to throw another change up”.

In both of the losses, Edwin Rios was the only one who drove in runs. The offense still continues to not be very consistent from game to game.

The Dodgers now fly cross country for a seven day home stand in which they will play eight games. The Phillies will be in town Thursday through Sunday, followed by the Arizona Diamondbacks Monday through Wednesday with a doubleheader on Tuesday.

The offense will need to regain their consistency as the rotation and bullpen will be stressed to the max through the home stand.

Probable starters for the Phillies series are Thursday, Tyler Anderson and Zack Wheeler; Friday, Clayton Kershaw and Kyle Gibson; Saturday, Walker Buehler and Ranger Suarez; and Sunday will be Julio Urías and Aaron Nola.