Adrian Gonzalez Records 2,000th Career Hit as Dodgers Defeat Pirates, 8-5

Mr. 2000.

Adrian Gonzalez recorded his 2,000^th career hit and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates, 8-5, on Tuesday night at PNC Park.

Gonzalez became just the seventh Dodgers in Los Angeles franchise history to record his 2,000^th career hit in a Dodger uniform, joining greats like Maury Wils, Willie Davis, Gary Carter, Brett Butler, Tim Wallach and Jeff Kent.

"It's pretty cool," Gonzalez told Alanna Rizzo of SportsNetLA of the milestone. "There's so many great Dodgers throughout history. To be one of seven is pretty cool and I'll definitely cherish that. I'll enjoy the moment and celebrate with my family in a couple days when we come home." 

The milestone came in the top of the sixth inning when Gonzalez led off with a double down the right field line and scored the go-ahead run four batters later.

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Congrats, @Adrian_ElTitan, on 2,000 career hits! #LetsGoDodgers pic.twitter.com/p33bK97drO— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 23, 2017

The Dodgers jumped out to an early lead to start the game as Chris Taylor continued his recent hitting tear with a leadoff double.

Two batters later, Taylor scored the first run of the game on an RBI groundout off the bat of Justin Turner.

Los Angeles extended the lead in the top of the second as Pirates starter, Jameson Taillon loaded the bases for his counterpart, Dodgers' starter Brock Stewart, who promptly hit an RBI bloop single into shallow left field.

Taylor followed with a two-run single and the Dodgers led 4-0. The Dodgers breakout star this season finished the game 3-for-5 with three RBI and a run scored and is leading the National League in batting average (.346) since the All-Star Break.

All of the Pirates runs came in a five-run third inning for Pittsburgh that saw the end of the game for Stewart.

"It definitely wasn't my night," Stewart told the media. "It was definitely a learning experience. That's how baseball goes. Sometimes things don't always go your way. I'm looking forward to the next opportunity."

Taillon got a tiny bit of revenge off Stewart with a leadoff single, and Starling Marte followed with his fourth home run of the game, a deep fly ball into the left field seats that put the Pirates on the board.

Starling Marte hits a 2-run home run for his 4th home run of the season!!! #LetsGoBucs pic.twitter.com/Y4Abmc3JqP— TheRenderMLB (@TheRenderMLB_) August 23, 2017

After the home run, Stewart allowed the next three batters to reach base, including two walks as the bases were loaded for Josh Harrison.

Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts quickly gave Stewart the hook before recording an out in the inning. Relief pitcher, Josh Ravin, who was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City earlier in the day, entered the game and immediately gave up a two-run double to Harrison that tied the game.

One batter later, John Jaso grounded into a fielder's choice that brought home the go-ahead run and the Bucs took a 5-4 lead.

As they've done time and time again, the Dodgers would rally for their 41st comeback victory of the season as Taylor knocked in the tying run in the top of the fourth and Seager brought in the go-ahead run in the top of the sixth.

The RBI single extended Seager's hitting streak to 11 games and the reigning NL Rookie of the Year winner is batting .358 with three doubles, a home run and 11 RBI since Aug. 3.

Yasmani Grandal added some extra insurance runs via the discount double-check as he blasted a two-run home run in the top of the seventh to give the Dodgers an 8-5 lead.

"For Yasmani to hit the ball out of the ballpark, that was a big homer for him," said Roberts. "He's been hitting the ball well of late but has had nothing to show for it, so it was nice to see him hit one out of the ballpark."

Dodgers reliever, Tony Watson, recorded the win with a scoreless fifth inning in his return to PNC Park. 

"I got ahead of hitters and mixed different pitches," Watson said of his scoreless fifth inning. "I executed my pitches and got weak contact."

Watson made his big league debut with the Pirates in 2011 and has the most relief appearances than any other pitcher in PNC park history. 

In total, the Dodgers' bullpen combined to pitch seven innings of scoreless relief and did not allow a Pirates' runner past first base following the third inning.

"They did a great job," Roberts told reporters of his bullpen. "Seven innings. They threw the ball as best as I've seen them. That was the best inning Watson has thrown with us. The story of the night was the bullpen."

Kenley Jansen entered the game in the bottom of the ninth and struck out the side for his 34^th save of the season.

Los Angeles is a perfect 5-0 against the Pirates this season and the win guarantees that the Dodgers will remain unbeaten in their last 22 series overall.

The victory also extended the Dodgers streak to 39 consecutive wins when scoring four or more runs, now the third best streak in MLB history of its kind.

Up Next:

The Dodgers will look to win the series on Wednesday when left-hander Rich Hill heads to the mound for the Dodgers against RHP Trevor Williams. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 PM PST.