With the powerful hits, hard-hitting pitching and defensive gems that have defined the Dodgers ‘success over the past decade, the reigning World Series champions headed home as postseason leaders and after slowing the Giants’ momentum in his divisional series.
The fight between the two National League rivals has turned into a properly matched fight.
Julio Urías contained San Francisco and contributed an RBI single, Cody Bellinger and AJ Pollock added two-run doubles to extend the lead in the sixth and the Dodgers crushed the Giants 9-2 on Saturday to tie their series 1-1. division.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had said before the game that they would take it as a decisive duel, and so did the reigning World Series champions. Will Smith homered in the eighth to round out the score.
Now Los Angeles – second in the NL West despite 106 victories – is back in the fray and will try to gain momentum when the series travels to Chavez Ravine. His next starter will be ace Max Scherzer.
“It’s a good feeling,” Roberts said. “It’s interesting how the message changes from game to game. Right now it’s a three-game series, we have the court advantage and we have Max on the mound. I like where we are.
Game 3 of the best-of-5 series takes place Monday at Dodger Stadium. The draw is unsurprising given how the two clubs have played for months. The Giants, with 107 wins, overtook the Dodgers in the standings on the final day of the regular season to clinch the season series 10-9, although they trailed 80-78 in scoring.
“It’s great to win one on the road,” said Dodgers star Mookie Betts. “Julio played a fantastic game. With an environment like this, he’s going to arrive ready to pitch.
The left-hander struck out five, walked in five innings and allowed a three-hit run. Kevin Gausman took the loss.
For the Dodgers, the Mexican Julio Urías 2-1 with an RBI.
For the Giants, the Venezuelan Wilmer Flores 3-0 with a run scored. Colombian Donovan Solano 1-0 with an RBI. AP (HN)