Tag: Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers DH/Pitcher Shohei Ohtani walks back to the dugout after striking out against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the seventh inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Jul 12, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The San Francisco Giants (56-40) were unable to grasp the win from the negative streaking Los Angeles Dodgers (53-43) 2-1, in front of another sellout Oracle Park crowd, on a beautiful Saturday Afternoon.

All eyes were on two huge figures on the mound. Legendary Giant Barry Bonds tossed the ceremonial First Pitch, as he was being honored for his greatness in the previous iteration of the ballpark on 3rd and King. Shohei Ohtani was the other star on the bump, as he was displaying his historic diversity as a multi-talented player

After the Dodgers offense did not produce any runs in the top of the first inning, including Ohtani grounding out to first base, he struck out the sides in the bottom of the frame. Within his limited time on the mound, his offense did give him some run support.

In the top of the second inning, third baseman Tommy Edman ushered in teammate Michael Conforto home plate, on a groundout to second base. Dodgers were up 1-0, as Ohtani was dealing a no-hitter in the early innings

His time pitching lasted only three innings, and after 2 2/3 no-hit innings pitched, Michael Yastrzemski performed the only knock off of the emerging legend. He also had four strikeouts during his pitching tenure. However, his appearances at the plate were not as productive.

In the top of the sixth the Dodgers added to their slim total. Second baseman Hyeseong Kim slapped a single to left field, scoring Conforto again, but he was gunned out at second base, trying to stretch the single into a double, ending a possible big inning. Los Angeles was up 2-0 at that point of the game.

The Giants were finally in a position to get off the goose egg in the bottom of the eighth. With a bases loaded scenario in play, the home team was only able to earn a single run, instead of blowing the contest open. Highly praised acquisition Rafael Devers hit a deep sacrifice fly ball to right field, resulting in the Giants lone run, scored by Mike Yastrzemski. The game was still in balance, with the ninth left to play.

Unfortunately for the home team, they ended the game with a foul out and two strikeouts. The Dodgers finally ended their long seven losing streak, and defeated their arch rival on both coasts.

The Giants loss evened the series at 1-1, with the “Rubber Game” being Sunday, July 13 at 1:05 PM PT. The expected pitching matchup is LAD RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (8-7, 2.77) versus SFG LHP Robbie Ray (9-3, 2.63).

Los Angeles Dodgers Michael Conforto scores (center) one of his two runs in the top of the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Jul 12, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 The Los Angeles Dodgers came into Oracle Park and snapped their seven game skid against the San Francisco Giants in game two of this three game series 2-1.

#2 For the most part of the game it was a pitcher’s duel with the Dodgers Shohei Ohtani starting going three innings, allowing one hit, one walk, and four strikeouts. As usual as a precaution Ohtani made an early exit.

#3 For San Francisco Giant starter Landen Roupp pitched six innings allowing seven hits, two runs, one earned run, a walk and eight strike outs. Roupp was key with his eight strikeouts but still took the loss dropping his record to 6-6.

#4 Big day for ex Giant Michael Conforto with three hits and scoring two runs. Conforto turned out to be the key figure in this game as the Dodgers just got by the Giants 2-1 and Conforto supplying all the run production for LA.

#5 Game 3 the rubber game match up Sunday at Oracle Park for the Dodgers RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (8-7 ERA 2.77) will be opposed by the Giants LHP Robbie Ray (9-3 ERA 2.63) first pitch at 1:05pm PT.

Michael Roberson is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giant Dominic Smith gives praise to the almighty after hitting a bottom of the fifth inning home run off the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri July 11, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

SAN FRANCISCO. Calif. — The San Francisco Giants (52-43) handed the slumping defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers (56-39) their seventh straight loss 8-7, in front of a raucous sellout (40,785) crowd at Oracle Park on Friday night.

It was an electric atmosphere on the corners of 3rd and King.  Mostly for the Japanese Sensation and 2024 MVP Shohei Othtani.  Although his team took another L, the fans did get their money’s worth with his moderate performance.

The Dodgers did get on base right away, as Ohtani walked as the initial batter of the game.  However, he nor the rest of the Dodgers did not cross the plate in the top of the first.

The Giants, on the other hand, did change the scoreboard in the bottom of the second inning when shortstop Willy Adames belted a solo home run.  The home team was on top 1-0 after two frames.

However, immediately in the top of the third inning, the aforementioned Ohtani blasted a two run homer into the vaunted McCovey Cove amidst the gasping crowd.  Los Angeles moved in front, 2-1.  Infielder Hyeseong Kim also scored on the dinger.  There was definitely a Buzz all throughout the ballpark.

The Giants responded in their half of the fourth inning, when center fielder Jung Hoo Lee hit a two run triple.  That feat scored Rafael Devers and Matt Chapman.  The Giants retook the lead 3-2 at that point, but unfortunately Lee was tagged out at the plate on a bang-bang play by left fielder Michael Conforto.  That momentarily stopped the bleeding.

The bottom of the fifth inning was a pinnacle moment in the contest.  The Giants scored five runs in that inning, and seemingly put the game out of reach for the struggling ball team from Southern California.  The Giants used a multitude of ways to cross home plate in the fifth.

First baseman Dominic Smith hit a deep homer to left-center, putting his team up by two, 4-2.   Next, Chapman got a fielder;s choice RBI, plating catcher Patrick Bailey.  Then Adames slapped a two-run triple to center field, allowing Chapman and Mike Yastrzemski to score.  Finally, Lee’s single knocked in Adames, culminating the five run fifth inning explosion.  San Francisco led 8-2 after the midpoint No Cal/So Cal Battle.

Never underestimate the heart of a champion, despite them limping into the Bay Area.  LA managed to cut the six run deficit to two, after a four-run sixth.  Teoscar Hernandez hit a two-run double, pushing in Lee and Mookie Betts.  Michael Conforto blasted a two run homer, bringing in Hernandez, along with himself.

There was worry in Downtown San Francisco, and that was even more exacerbated in the top of the seventh block,  Will Smith cracked a single, scoring Betts, and placing the Dodgers one run behind the recently scoreless Giants.

In the top of the ninth inning, the guests from the South had two men on base and the opportunity to tie or take the lead,  Oracle was a very intense environment for the competitive moment in time for the California rivals of today, and NYC rivals nearly 70 years ago.

The moment of truth was when reliever Camiio Doval forced the Dodgers to hit into a game-saving 5-4-3 double-play, extending the Dodgers losing streak to seven.  Doval notched his 15th save of the season, while Logan Webb got the win (9-6).  The Giants prevailed by one, 8-7.

The two teams will be right back at it Saturday Afternoon, July 12 at 1:05 PM PT, with the multifaceted RHP Shohei Ohtani (0-0, ERA 1.50) on the mound for the Dodgers, and RHP Landon Roupp (6-5,ERA 3.39) on the bump for the Giants.

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani looks after he hits a home run in the bottom of the sixth inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sun Jun 15, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After winning game one in their three game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers (42-29), the San Francisco Giants (41-30) got pounded Saturday in game two 11-5. The Los Angeles Dodgers evened up the series with a great offensive effort ; much improved over Friday night’s game.

Shohei Ohtani had a couple of home runs and the Dodgers scored five runs in the second inning and three in the sixth. The Giants were quiet offensively until the ninth inning when Casey Schmitt hit a grand slam with the bases loaded.

Schmitt had back-to-back grand slams, the one Friday and then in this game. The Dodgers Kiki Hernandez gave up the grand slam along with four hits and three walks.

Game recap: After a poor offensive effort in Friday’s game, the Dodgers got their first run in the first inning. A solo shot from Shohei Ohtani gave Los Angeles the early 1-0 lead.

The Dodgers had an impressive second inning scoring five runs and taking a 6-0 lead. Andy Pages singled Teoscar Hernandez home extending their lead to 2-0.

Michael Conforto doubled Max Muncy home followed by a Mookie Betts double that scored two runs Pages and Conforto. The final Los Angeles run in the second was a Will Smith sacrifice bringing Ohtani home giving the home team a 6-0 lead.

The Dodgers did not take their foot off the pedal scoring again in the third inning. Hyeseong Kim singled to center bringing Max Muncy home for a 7-0 lead. The roles had certainly been reversed in game two with the Dodgers offense coming to life through the first half of the game.

San Francisco helped their rival along the way with seven walks through five innings. The Giants starting pitcher Landon Roupp only pitched 1 2/3 innings allowing for hits, six runs and five walks before being relieved by Spencer Bivens.

He really struggled with no strikeouts. On the other hand the Dodgers Clayton Kershaw was having an easy time with only 58 pitches through five innings.

Home run #25 for Shohei Ohtani came in the bottom of the sixth inning, his second of the game for a 8-0 Los Angeles lead. The Dodgers would follow that up with a two run home run off the bat of Teoscar Hernandez and a 10-0 tally.

Clayton Kershaw was relieved in the eighth inning by Michael Kopech. Kershaw had a great seven innings allowing three hits, no runs, one walk and five strikeouts. He certainly got the job done Friday night.

The Dodgers had their third home run of the game in the eighth inning off the bat of Miguel Rojas. The game went into the top of the ninth inning and San Francisco was down to their last three outs.

With only three hits so far in the game there was little chance for the Giants but it did get interesting when Kiki Hernandez took the mound to close out the game. He loaded the bases. gave up a grand slam, three walks and was positively awful. He was relieved by Anthony Banda who closed out the game. The final was 11-5.

Game notes: The Giants won the first game of their series with the Dodgers Friday night 6-2 via a Casey Schmitt grand slam in the third inning. Although it was early in the game, the Giants held on adding another run in the eighth inning for the win. Friday San Francisco starting pitcher Logan Webb had a great game pitching seven innings. Los Angeles did not have the best game in game one and got even in the series in game two. San Francisco finished up the game with 10 hits while the Dodgers only had two hits on Friday. For Saturday night the Giants clobbered the Dodgers 10-5.

Saturday, the Giants will be looking to win game three and the series. With this win, the Dodgers took back sole possession of first place in the National League West. First pitch for game three is scheduled for 4:00 PM and can be viewed on ESPN. Kyle Harrison will take the mound for San Francisco with a 1-1 win/loss record and a 4.56 ERA. Dustin May will start for the Dodgers with a 3-4 win/loss record and a 4.46 ERA.