Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Dodgers X. Brusdar Graterol celebrates closing out the victory against the Giants on September 29, 2023.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN FRANCISCO- The Giants opened up their final series of the season against their rival the Dodgers with a loss by a final of 6-2.

The game-time weather was a little overcast with wind at 15 mph out to CF.

Before the game began Thairo Estrada was named the Willie Mac Award winner as voted on by teammates, coaches, trainers, and fans.

With Gabe Kapler fired earlier today Kai Correa took over as the interim manager. Correa became the youngest manager in the San Francisco era at 35 years old. The moment was also historic as both Correa and Roberts are of Asian descent which is the first time that two head coaches have faced each other in the four major sports leagues.

Keaton Winn got the nod to throw out the first pitch in this one as the Dodgers countered with veteran Lance Lynn. It was Winn’s ninth game of the season with him coming into this one sporting a 1-2 record and a 3.89 era.

Last game the Giants got a great start from Sean Manea who struck out eight while only giving up two runs in six innings.

Winn’s night on the mound would be haunted by the long ball as he gave up three home runs. The top of the order did most of the damage as Will Smith, Freddie Freeman, and J.D. Martinez got the three homers.

After a little bit of a bumpy start, Lynn steadied the ship going six innings and only allowing two earned runs. Those two runs he did give up both came from Wilmer Flores. In the first Flores got an RBI single and then got a solo home run in the third bringing his home run total up to 23 on the season.

In relief, Sean Hjelle had a solid outing as he gave up no runs and struck out four in 3.2 innings.

There were two batters hit by pitches tonight both Dodgers one of them Miguel Rojas was taken out of the game as he was hit on his left arm.

Freeman was not only of note due to his home run but he also got a single and a double. The double was his 59th of the season. While on the Giant’s side of things, Flores had another great night going 2-2 with an RBI and drawing a walk.

Lynn was credited with the win improving his record to 13-11. While Keaton Winn took the loss making his record now 1-3.

“I don’t play the game to get trophies or get any special recognition but obviously when you think about it now that my coaches and my teammates have voted for me it obviously means a lot,” Thairo Estrada said after the game.

The Giants will play game two of this final series of the season tomorrow at 6:05.