Los Angeles Dodgers Tommy Edman gives thanks to the good Lord after connecting for a bottom of the sixth inning solo home run against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sun Sep 20, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the San Francisco Giants (64-92) played their last road game of the 2026 season. Sunday they finished off their series with the Los Angeles Dodgers (96-60) getting swept in the three game series with a 3-1 loss. The Giants will take this 3 game sweep going into their final six games of the season at Oracle Park next week starting Monday night with the Minnesota Twins.

San Francisco took an early lead 1-0 in the game scoring in the first inning taking that lead slim lead into the sixth inning. It was a pitchers duel so far with San Francisco’s Matt Wilkinson doing a bang-up job. Los Angeles starting pitcher Jack Dreyer was cruising with the exception of the one run scored by the Giants in the first inning.

GAME RECAP

It had been an offensively quiet game for both teams. Through five innings the Giants had a single hit and the Dodgers only three hits. Victor Bericoto had the only hit for San Francisco while the Dodger’s Freddie Freeman, Miguel Rojas and Josue De Paula accounted for the work at the plate for Los Angeles.

Through five innings the Giants starter Matt Wilkinson was having an exceptional game working on a shutout. There was a pitching change for San Francisco to start the sixth inning. Why could be a compelling question. Only a 76 pitch count, he had not given up any runs, only three hits and six strikeouts. He was relieved by Carson Seymour.

Jack Dreyer only pitched for the one opening inning for Los Angles and was relieved by Emmet Sheehan who pitched through the next 5 1/3 innings. Manager Dave Roberts explained that the Dodger’s were putting together their available pitching options, with Sheehan expected the give them the bulk of the innings.

Tarik Skubal is currently on the bereavement list that left the Dodgers with fewer traditional starting options. So the removal of Dreyer was consistent with a planned strategy.

The Giants got their second hit of the game in the sixth inning off the bat of Jung Hoo Lee but they were not able to score and this game, went into the bottom of the inning with the Dodger still in search of their first run. They didn’t have long to wait. Tommy Edman came to the plate and knocked one out of the park, a solo home run and this game was tied 1-1.

The Giants were quiet in the seventh inning but the Dodgers had a great chance to break the tie in the bottom of the inning.

Max Muncy singled followed by a Josue De Paula single and a Teoscar Hernandez double drove Muncy home and Los Angeles had taken the lead 2-1. Wes Smith grounded into a fielder’s choice and De Paula was thrown out at home plate. Mookie Betts flied out for the third out.

San Francisco went three and out in the top of the eighth inning. Dylan Smith started the inning despite giving up two singles, a double and the run that broke the tie. He was finally relieved by Trent Harris who went on to give up a Freddie Freeman single. Max Muncy singled driving Teoscar Hernandez home and Los Angeles had taken a 3-1 lead.

San Francisco went into the top of the ninth inning three outs away from losing the game and getting swept by the Dodgers. Victor Bericoto grounded out, Andrew Knizner flied out but Brett Harris walked and the Giants hope was still alive hanging by a thread but still alive. Olsleivis Basabe would strike out and that was the ball game. The Dodgers had won 3-1 winning game three and sweeping the series.

GAME NOTES

The moment this game shifted was in the seventh inning with the Enrique Hernandez double which was the go-ahead moment for Los Angeles.

After falling behind the Dodgers they responded with the Edman home run. The Giants did score first and held the Dodgers to one run through the early innings. What went wrong for the Giant?

After an exceptional start by Wilkinson he was relieved and it all seemed to fall apart. It is no secret that the San Francisco bullpen has struggled all season. They did not produce at the plate only managing two hits in the game while the Dodgers came away with 11 hits.

It has been a really tough season for the Giants but they do have a lot of young players who came into the season late showing a lot of promise. They really have a lot to build on for the next season which is closer than you would think. Pitchers report on Friday February 19 and this whole thing gets back underway.

Monday the Giants will take the Twins in a game three-game series. Probable pitcher for the Giants will be Landen Roupp. He has a 9-14 win/loss record and a 4.01 ERA. Bailey Ober will probably start for the Twins. He has a 7-6 win/loss record and a 4.21 ERA. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 6:45 PM.