Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chris Taylor, right, hits a two RBI single as San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Carlos Rodon, left, and catcher Joey Bart, second from left, watch along with home plate umpire Dan Merzel at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Tue May 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Tuesday, May 3, 2022

Los Angeles got an early clutch hit from Chris Taylor, a strong start from Julio Urias and the bullpen, and the Dodgers claimed a 3-1 win over the San Francisco Giants Tuesday at Dodger Stadium.

Urias (2-1) threw six scoreless innings, scattering four hits while striking out four without a walk. Brustar Graterol, Alex Vesla and Daniel Hudson each earned a hold, and Craig Kimbrel threw a scoreless ninth to earn his fifth save.

It was a tough loss for Giants starter Carlos Rodon (3-1), who also went six innings. Rodon gave up two earned runs on three hits and two walks, while striking out three.

The Dodgers went ahead to stay in the bottom of the second inning when Taylor drilled a two-out single to right-center off Rodon, scoring Max Muncey and Cody Bellinger. Muncey and Bellinger each drew a walk, and advanced to third and second, respectively, on a wild pitch by Rodon prior to Taylor’s base hit.

San Francisco cut the Dodgers’ lead to 2-1 in the top of the seventh, when Wilmer Flores reached on an infield single, moved to second on a throwing error by Justin Turner, moved to third on a Thairo Estrada ground out, and score on Luis Gonzalez’ sacrifice fly to left.

Los Angeles added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, when Giants reliever Jose Alvarez threw a wild pitch during Freddie Freeman’s at-bat, allowing Hanser Alberto (who doubled) to score and Mookie Betts (who singled) to go to second.

After Freeman walked, Alvarez retired Trea Turner, Will Smith and Muncey. Kimbrell came on in the top of the ninth and, despite walking Flores and giving up an infield single to Gonzalez, didn’t allow any further damage.

Kimbrel struck out Brandon Crawford, Estrada flied out to right, and Luke Williams hit into a game-ending fielder’s choice.

On Wednesday, Alex Wood (2-1, 4.19) starts for the Giants, while the Dodgers counter with Tony Gonsolin (1-0, 1.59). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m.