nked second in scoring at 110 points per game, trailing only

LOS ANGELES -- This time, the Pittsburgh Pirates left nothing to chance.A day after equaling the franchise record by stranding 18 runners, the Pirates cleared the bases twice in the first inning with home runs Sunday on their way to an 11-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers.It was a lot of fun to be in the dugout today, said Josh Harrison, who had four hits. It was almost like a flip of yesterday when they got out to a little jump on us. You know, it was good to go out there in the first inning today and put pressure on them right away.Adam Frazier each had four hits, Sean Rodriguez homered and had four RBI and the Pirates spoiled Brett Andersons return with a five-run burst in the first.Rodriguez had a three-run homer and Jordy Mercer a two-run shot in the first to chase Anderson (0-1) from his first start since last October.Anderson had back surgery in March and left following one inning with a mild left wrist sprain.Aside from blowing the back out again or hurting my elbow its probably about the worst way a first start back can go, he said.The Dodgers were forced to use seven pitchers. Anderson struggled after Saturday starter Brandon McCarthy lasted only 1 2/3 innings.In all, the bullpen was forced to pitch 15 1/3 innings over two days.To put our bullpen in that situation after McCarthy yesterday, to try and have them go nine innings, its embarrassing on my part, Anderson said.Jung Ho Kang added a solo homer during a four-run ninth to help Pittsburgh win for the fifth time in seven games against the Dodgers this season.Pirates Manager Clint Hurdle loved his teams resiliency after the way that we played yesterday.Rookie Chad Kuhl (3-0) won his third consecutive start, holding the Dodgers to two runs and six hits over six innings.We obviously have a good team here, a great defense, he said. Im just trying to put the ball on the ground.We have the capability offensively to put up a crooked number in the first and keep adding on from there. As you can tell, its a very talented team, he said.The Pirates have won each of Kuhls first six starts, the second-longest winning streak to start a career in team history. The Pirates won the first seven starts of Jim Nelsons career in 1970.Regardless of who starts for us, we approach things the same, Harrison said. What I got from him in his starts is hes been very efficient. Pitching aggressive in the zone, thats half the battle. Letting your defense work for you. Hes done a good job of going out there.Joc Pederson hit his second homer in two games for the Dodgers, whove lost three of their last four and stayed one game back of San Francisco in the NL West. The Giants lost 8-7 to Baltimore.LEADING OFFHarrison has a .356 average (21 for 59) in 13 games as the leadoff hitter. Hes also scored 12 runs.TRAINERS ROOMPirates: OF Starling Marte, who left Saturdays game in the eighth inning with upper back discomfort, was a late scratch from the lineup. He was replaced in left field by Frazier.Dodgers: 3B Justin Turner missed his second consecutive game with a right hand contusion. Manager Dave Roberts expects Turner back in the starting lineup on Tuesday in Philadelphia. ... RHP Bud Norris gave up one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings in a rehab start Saturday for Class A Rancho Cucamonga. Norris will return to the Dodgers rotation on Thursday.UP NEXTPirates: RHP Ryan Vogelsong (1-2, 2.67) pitches against San Francisco on Monday, making his first start against his former team since rejoining the Pirates at the beginning of the season.Dodgers: RHP Kenta Maeda faces the Phillies for the second time in a week in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The rookie notched his 11th win of the season on Tuesday at home against the Phillies, giving up three runs and six hits over five innings. Alan Page Vikings Jersey . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal. 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LOS ANGELES -- The improved Los Angeles Lakers play host to the San Antonio Spurs in a matchup of two of the NBAs top offensive teams and best defensive clubs on Friday night at Staples Center.The Spurs (9-3) are riding a four-game winning streak after a 110-105 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night. Ex-Laker Pau Gasol led the way for San Antonio with a season-high 24 points and nine rebounds. Gasol will face his former team for the first time in a Spurs uniform.The Lakers (7-5), who have won three of their last four games, will face an obvious and early challenge against the Spurs, annually one of the leagues top teams. After dropping consecutive contests to the Los Angeles Clippers and Houston Rockets at home more than a week ago, the Spurs responded with consecutive wins over the Detroit Pistons, the Rockets, the Miami Heat and the Kings.Were connecting with each other better, moving the ball better, said Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who is tied with Larry Brown for seventh on the all-time NBA list for regular-season coaching victories at 1,098. Were improving.The Spurs are 6-0 on the road and have captured the last five contests against the Lakers, going 4-0 last season. Ball movement and contributions from several players sparked the Spurs recent surge.Forward Kawhi Leonard, again an early MVP candidate, is averaging 25 points per game and 2.4 steals (third best in the league). LaMarcus Aldridge is scoring 17.8 points per game and hitting 54.5 percent of his 3-point attempts.Were at our best when we move the ball, when we makee the defense work and we find the open guys, Gasol said.dddddddddddd We get much better shots that way, and it pays off. It creates a flow and energy that carries over to the defensive end.The Spurs average 101.9 points on offense (19th in the NBA), but their defense is holding opponents to 96.8 points (fourth).The Lakers have emerged as one of the leagues top scoring teams. Los Angeles is ranked second in scoring at 110 points per game, trailing only the Golden State Warriors (117.4 points).Point guard DAngelo Russell scored a season-high 32 points and forward Julius Randle contributed a triple-double with 17 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists Wednesday in a 125-118 win over the Brooklyn Nets.The Lakers bench has been another strength, averaging a league-best 50.6 points. Reserve guard Lou Williams has been one of the main sparkplugs with a 15.6 scoring average.They have been great all year, so obviously were not going to complain about them, but even before the (Brooklyn) game I said I think the reason that they have so much success is because of how unselfish they play as a group, Lakers coach Luke Walton said of his reserves.Both clubs are among the leaders in 3-point shooting percentage. San Antonio is ranked second at 39.2 percent per game, with Los Angeles is tied for third with Golden State at 37.4 percent.The Spurs will be without center Dewayne Dedmon (left knee sprain), who is not traveling with the team. ' ' '