SoCal MLB Preview

Pittsburgh (6-6) at LA Dodgers (5-7), 7:10 pm

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) - The Pittsburgh Pirates go for their fourth straight win when they visit the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday. Pittsburgh completed a three-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds on Sunday, posting a 9-1 victory. The Pirates hit three home runs in the game, including the fourth of the season by Xavier Nady.

Zach Duke (0-0, 2.13 ERA) looks to continue the momentum for the Pirates when he takes the mound against the Dodgers. The lefthander has not fared well in his career against Los Angeles, going 1-3 with a 7.99 ERA in four career starts. Duke gave up just one run in seven innings, earning a no-decision in Pittsburgh's 6-4, 15-inning loss to Chicago on Wednesday.

The Dodgers have lost five out of their last six and are coming off a 1-0 loss to San Diego on Sunday. Hiroki Kuroda (1-1, 2.13) looks to bounce back from his first loss of the season when he starts for Los Angeles. The rookie from Japan gave up four runs - two earned - and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings against Arizona on Wednesday. Andruw Jones has struggled so far with his new team, hitting just 4-for-40 (.100) in 12 games with the Dodgers.