Tag: Los Angeles Dodgers

MLB Playoffs podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Guardians facing brink of elimination; Phils advance; Padres and Yanks tie up series

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

MLB Playoffs podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

The Detroit Tigers hitter Riley Greene swings for an RBI single in the first inning of game 3 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wed Oct 9, 2024 (AP News photo)

#1 Four playoff games on Thursday Jerry let’s review taking on the first one the Cleveland Guardians are down 1-2 after struggling against the Detroit Tigers. The Guardians were shutout by another excellent exhibition of pitching by Tiger starter Keider Montero who went one inning it was his reliever Brant Hurter who pitched 3.1 innings allowing five hits after Hurter and four Tiger relievers finished off the job shutting out the Guardians for the 3-0 win.

#2 The New York Mets knocked out the Philadelphia Phillies three games out of four in the NLDS. The Mets on Thursday down 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth put together a four run rally and won it in a three run 4-2 decision. The Mets got some quality pitching from starter Jose Quintana who went five innings, two hits and two walks. The Phillies lone run was unearned. The Mets now advance to the next round.

#3 The New York Yankees improved their position in the ALDS with a one run win over the Kansas City Royals two games to one. The Yanks pulled out a 3-2 win in game three at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City on Thursday night. Tied 2-2 in the top of the eighth the Yankees just skimmed by Royals pitcher Kris Bubic scratching out a run which gave the Yankees one more win away to advance to the next round.

#4 It wasn’t even a contest on Thursday night at Petco Park in San Diego as the Los Angeles Dodgers racked up the runs against the San Diego Padres 8-0 to tie up the series 2-2. The Dodgers avoided elimination going into the series down 1-2. The bats came out for Los Angeles who scored most of their runs early with two runs in each of the second and third innings and three more runs in the top of the seventh inning.

Jerry Feitelberg is a podcast contributor and is filling in for Stephen Ruderman and Jeremiah Salmonson at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The One Man Club 50-50

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Los Angeles Dodgers two way mega star Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting his 50th home run in the top of the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park in Miami on Thu Sep 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

The One Man Club 50-50

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

There is only one player in the One Man Club.

He did not pitch this season because he had Tommy John surgery in 2023. Thursday, September 19, 2024, Shohei Ohtani, while playing in Miami with the Los Angeles Dodgers, became the first man ever in the history of Major League Baseball with 50 homeruns and 50 stolen bases in one single season.

The 30-year-old Japanese international mega-star had elbow surgery last year. Now, Ohtani is headed to the playoffs in 2024 and could pitch again in 2025.

Shohei Ohtani, a once-in-a-lifetime player, will be on the Dodgers’ payroll for the next 20 years under the unique terms of the 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. We are fortunate to live during the Ohtani years since not many who witnessed the great Babe Ruth are left.

I know Ohtani was born in Japan, but as we have seen, this talented man plays the most challenging sport to master, baseball, where most of the time you fail; he makes it look easy. His talents make him look like he comes from another world.

Congratulations Ohtani! おめでとう

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB- Hispanic Month -65 Million

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Team Mexico is excited in their game against Team Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic (photo by MARCA News)

MLB: Hispanic Month – 65 Million

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Each year, from September 15 to October 15, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating the histories, cultures, and contributions of those of us who came here from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America.

By the way, Brazil, the largest country in South America, Portuguese is the predominant languor. The 2022 US Census lists (at least) 65 million Hispanics in the country, which is by far the most significant minority.

This is the most on the Continent, except for Mexico, which has a population of 130 million. In other words, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the United States of America and also in the Americas, north central and south.

Over 30 percent of all players on the 30 Major League teams are listed as Hispanics, Latinos. Although English is the official language in all 50 States, including in California, Spanish is the de facto second language, with some 40 million residents in the Golden State. The 2022 US Census, listed 16 million of us Latinos here in California.

At this 2024 MLB season’s end, California’s five teams: Dodgers, Angels, Padres, Giants, and A’s. The Dodgers, Padres, and Angels broadcast all 162 games home and away in the Spanish language, with the San Francisco Giants some 127 games home and away, with an increase in 2025. The Oakland A’s follow with 68 home games in Spanish, two “on the road” in San Francisco.

Highlights from the report: U.S. Latino gross domestic product is now valued at $3.2 trillion. U.S. Latino purchasing power is measured at $3.4 trillion. In 2021, Latino income in the U.S. amounted to $2.5 trillion and grew 4.7% compared with 1.9% for non-Latinos.

Any business that doesn’t invest in this huge Hispanic market is missing increasing their revenue.

Felíz Mes de la Herencia Hispana.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: White Sox could tie all time consecutive MLB loss record; 2024 Paris Olympic medal count; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Chicago White Sox starter Claude Flexen (77) just can’t look anymore as he’s removed in the bottom of the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis on Sun Aug 3, 2024. The White Sox open a three game series with the Oakland A’s Mon Aug 4, 2024 at the Oakland Coliseum and could tie the all time losing streak record at 23 if they get swept in the series (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, we’ll talk to you about a variety of subject starting with the possibility that the Chicago White Sox could tie the all time consecutive loss record at 23 on Wednesday if the A’s were to sweep this three game series which starts tonight.

#2 The A’s have had their own struggles of last after edging the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday they lost the next two games 10-0 Saturday and 3-2 on Sunday. The A’s first series loss since mid July.

#3 Switching over to the Paris Olympics and the medal count, China is in first place with the most gold medals, second the US with 20 and Australia with 13. The competition has been fast and furious in this year’s games.

#4 Former NFL star quarterback Tom Brady is considering un-retiring and wants to try out for either the San Francisco 49ers or Las Vegas Raiders. Brady is a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.

#5 The Kansas City Chiefs have signed kicker Harrison Butler to a yearly $6.4 million deal that’s worth $25.6 million for four years and $17.75 million guaranteed. That would sign Butler through 2028. Butler hit 33 of 35 field goal attempts for 94.3% last season.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead radio voice on the Oakland A’s radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Is River Ryan the answer for the Dodgers’ problematic, starting rotation?

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

OAKLAND—The Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation is a mess.

But for the third, consecutive start, River Ryan provided the NL West leaders a neat option. The rookie right-hander pitched into the fifth inning and departed with a 3-2 lead over the A’s that would stand as the final score. In his first three major league starts, all since July 22, Ryan’s been on the winning side each time, and manager Dave Roberts has his unlikely rotation option penciled in for a fourth start Saturday after a convenient extra-day of rest.

“I thought River was good,” Roberts said. “We didn’t push him too much.”

“Warming up, I knew I wasn’t going to have my best stuff today,” Ryan said, as he took inventory of his strengths and weaknesses while warming up before the game in the bullpen.

Ryan, who started the season in the Arizona Complex League, and also pitched for Double-A Rancho Cucamonga and Triple-A Oklahoma City, wasn’t a rotation option at any point, until he was the option. With Walker Buehler slow to recover from Tommy John surgery, and flashy free agent signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto sidelined with a shoulder issue, two, critical spots opened in the rotation. In addition, the timeless Clayton Keyshawn didn’t debut until July 25. Tyler Glasgow and Gavin Stone have been the two constants, but neither are beyond getting replaced now that prized deadline acquisition Wade Flaherty has arrived and pitched well in his initial start.

Two other options, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin, are on the injured list as well. And all the uncertainty and issues brought Roberts and GM Brandon Gomes looking for Ryan.

Ryan admittedly hasn’t been fantastic, but he has been steady, allowing no home runs in 15 innings of work, the logical flip side to allowing three walks in each of his starts. Ryan’s reminder to himself ties it all together.

“If you fall behind guys, you give them a chance to do damage,” he said.

Sunday’s win gave the Dodgers their first series victory on the road in their last six opportunities, something that didn’t seem likely after Friday’s 6-5 loss. That dropped Los Angeles’ division lead to just four games, which is as close as the NL West race had been since May 30. But Roberts simply asked his club to stay focused, and put on blinders.

“You have to remain steadfast, and eliminate the noise,” Roberts said.

DODGERS-A’s SERIES NOTES: The Oakland Coliseum was made memorable in the movie “Moneyball” for being the location of the A’s record 20th win in a row in 2002. Now, the Coliseum could gain notoriety as the location of a Chicago White Sox’ record-tying 23rd loss in a row this week.

The Sox experienced another dreadful afternoon in Minneapolis on Sunday, falling behind 7-0 to the Twins after two innings, before losing 13-7. Chicago has now lost 20 straight games, the longest losing streak in MLB in the last 36 years.

The Sox play their next three games in Oakland, meaning they could be in line to tie the all-time record of 23 losses held by the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon.

The A’s won 17 of 24 games against the Dodgers at the Coliseum with the lifetime series now concluded. That success allowed the A’s to claim the best record against the Dodgers of any team all-time (24 wins, 21 losses).

Brent Rooker homered on Sunday, giving him 15 home runs and 37 RBI over his last 32 games.

.

Dodgers beat A’s and take series 3-2, as Oakland drops first series since early July

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Los Angeles Dodgers Teoscar Hernandez (37) raises his arms in celebration after hitting his double in the top of the first inning against the Oakland A’s at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Aug 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Oakland, California

Los Angele Dodgers 3 (65-47)

Oakland Athletics 2 (46-67)

Win: Alex Vesia (2-3)

Loss: Osvaldo Bido (2-3)

Save: Anthony Banda (1)

Time: 2:27

Attendance: 25,544

By Stephen Ruderman

OAKLAND–The A’s were unable to complete the sweep, as JP Sears imploded late, and the Astros won it 8-1 in what was most likely their final game at the Oakland Coliseum.

After the A’s hung on for a thrilling win Friday night, the Dodgers evened the series with a 10-0 trouncing last night. Sunday, the A’s had a chance to take the series on this clear but hazy Sunday afternoon at the Coliseum, which has become the new Dodger Stadium North.

It would most likely be the final game that the Dodgers played at the Coliseum. While the Dodgers of course didn’t play here every year, the A’s and Dodgers squared off in the 1974 and 1988 World Series.

Three games in each series were played here at the Coliseum. The A’s wrapped up their third-straight title at the Coliseum with a 3-2 win in Game 5 of the 1974 World Series. Joe Rudi hit what proved to be the game-winning home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, and Hall-of-Famer Rollie Fingers closed it out in the ninth.

The Dodgers won the 1988 World Series, but while that series was most remembered for Kirk Gibson’s historic walk-off home run in Game 1, Mark McGwire gave the A’s and their fans some magic of their own with a less-remembered walk-off home run in Game 3 here at the Coliseum. The Dodgers then won Games 4 and 5 at the Coliseum to wrap up the series.

Fast forward to 2024, and while the A’s have been out of contention, they did have an opportunity to play spoiler and take two of three from the Dodgers, who came into today’s game just four and a half games ahead of the San Diego Padres atop the National League West.

Making the start Sunday for Oakland was Osvaldo, who ran into a jam with one out in the top of the first inning. Teoscar Hernandez doubled, and Gavin Lux walked. The veteran, Jason Heyward, struck out swinging for the second out, and that brought up Kiké Hernandez.

Kiké hit a shot out into left-center that A’s center-fielder JJ Bleday attempted to catch as he slid to his right, but the ball shot past Bleday, and both runners scored to give the Dodgers a 2-0 lead.

The A’s bounced right back against Dodgers’ starter River Ryan in the bottom of the first. After Ryan retired the first two men he faced, Bleday lined a base-hit to center, and Brent Rooker tied the game with a home run to left-center.

Both teams went down scoreless in the second, but the Dodgers got a rally going in the top of the third. Heyward lined a one-out base-hit to right and advanced to second on an error. With two outs, Cavin Biggio got Heyward in with a base-hit off the fists into right-center, and the Dodgers retook the lead.

From there, the game calmed down. The A’s did load the bases in the bottom of the fifth, which forced Ryan out of the game, but Evan Phillips came in and struck Brent Rooker out looking to end the inning.

Bido pitched a scoreless top of the sixth to end his day. By giving up three runs over six innings, Bido pitched a quality outing. He did give up six hits and walked three, but he struck out six.

Nothing really happened in the final three innings, though the A’s bullpen pitched three no-hit innings. Michel Otanez struck out two in a 1-2-3 top of the seventh, and Austin Adams and Tyler Ferguson pitched scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth.

The Dodgers’ bullpen, meanwhile, set down the final ten hitters they faced, and Anthony Banda picked up his second-career save.

Alex Vesia got the win, and Osvaldo Bido got the loss. This is the first time the A’s have lost a series since they lost two of three to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park nearly a month ago.

The A’s will have a real chance to get some wins with the Chicago White Sox coming in. The White Sox are currently suffering through a 20-game losing streak.

Every few years or so, there’s a team that flirts with matching the misery of the 1962 New York Mets, who went 40-120 in their inaugural season. The A’s were potentially looking to be that team early last season. The White Sox are now 27-87 here in 2024, and they are on pace to go 38-124.

Monday night JP Sears (8-8, 4.53 ERA) will make the start for Oakland in the series opener, and he will be opposed by the Chicago White Sox Jonathan Cannon (1-5, 4.11 ERA). First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Dodgers win with a vengeance Saturday after losing 3 straight games beat A’s 10-0

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s right fielder Lawrence Butler (4) takes a sliding catch on a fly ball hit by the Los Angeles Dodgers Cavan Biggio in the top of the sixth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sat Aug 3, 2024 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Los Angeles Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty was razor sharp in his outing against the Oakland A’s keeping a hot hitting line up off balance as the Dodgers and Flaherty threw a shutout for a 10-0 win on Saturday night.

#2 The win helped snapped the Dodgers three game losing streak. The Dodgers had lost Friday’s game against the A’s 6-5 and the that they lost to a last place club and have been struggling fired them up for their big Saturday victory.

#3 The Dodgers Shohei Ohtani is having quite a series against the A’s with a three run ninth inning home run on Friday and three stolen bases on Saturday night. Ohtani now has 31 stolen bases and 33 home runs.

#4 Flaherty who was just acquired last Tuesday had his biggest outing for the Dodgers pitching six innings, allowing five hits and no runs. Flaherty struck out seven hitters.

#5 The A’s hope to salvage this three game series Sunday at the Oakland Coliseum as they will face Dodgers starter RHP River Ryan (1-0, 0.82) and the A’s will start Osvaldo Bido (2-2, ERA 5.00) for a 1:05pm PT first pitch.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Dodgers’ Explosive 9th Evened Up the Series 1-1 after a Dominating Shutout Victory 10-0 over the Athletics; Ohtani steals 3 bases

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s second baseman Darrell Hernaiz (2) can’t make the catch as the Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani (17) steals second base in the ninth inning for his third stolen base of the game at the Oakland Coliseum on Sat Aug 3, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Los Angeles Dodgers (64-47) tied the three-game series at one game apiece versus the Oakland Athletics (46-66) with an overwhelming 10-0 win in front of a large, mostly LA crowd..

More than 35,000 fans gathered into the Oakland Coliseum to see the Northern/Southern California battle on the diamond. The largest seat-fillers of the season came to see Shohei Ohtani who did not disappoint the Dodger faithful, as he had two hits, three stolen bases and an RBI. He joined the 30/30 club (homers/stolen bases) after his three swipes.

The game got off to a slow start, as neither team scored a run the first two innings. However, the Dodgers got on the scoreboard in the top of the third frame with two of their many runs.

Second baseman Gavin Lux sliced a two run single two leftfield, putting the visitors up 2-0. Cavan Biggio and Teoscar Hernandez both crossed the plate. That early action was the only scoring that happened most of the game, until later innings.

The Athletics best opportunity to score was in the bottom of the sixth inning. Oakland had the bases loaded with no outs. That scenario was orchestrated on an error, basehit and walk. It looked like the home team was going to come back, then blow the game open. Unfortunately, they had two ground outs and a strikeout, while no player scored a run. Absolutely a regrettable juncture of the game for the Athletics.

Two innings later the floodgates began to open for the Dodgers. In the top of the eighth inning Kike Hernandez drilled a RBI double to left, plating rightfielder Jason Heyward. The lead was 3-0, until center fieldr Andy Pages knocked in Hernandez on a single up the middle of the field.. After 7 1/2 innings, Dodgers 4, A’s 0.

The top of the ninth was the nail in the coffin, as Los Angeles added six more runs to their total. Amed Rosario replaced Lux and promptly belted an rbi single, scoring Ohtani. Catcher Will Smith’s RBI base hit added another tally to the scoreboard. Teoscar Hernandez made it home on that hit. Heyward followed that up with another RBI single, with Rosario scoring. Kike Hernandez knocked in Smith, making the score 8-0.

Mercilessly, the last two runs came on a wild pitch, with Heyward scoring, and Nick Ahmed’s single brought in Kike Hernandez for the final run. However, Kike was not finished.for the evening. When Hernandez took the field in the bottom of the ninth inning, he was positioned on the pitcher’s mound.

Hernandez not only survived, he preserved the shutout, and only gave up one hit. He capped off a night where he went 3-4, Double, Walk, two RBIs, and a scoreless inning from the bump. Although an impressive pitching line, he was not eligible for a save, Starter Jack Flarety (8-5) got credit for the win.

The two teams will play the rubber game to determine the winner of the series, Sunday Afternoon (1:07 PM PDT) here at the Coliseum. The projected starters will be Oakland’s RHP Osvaldo Bido (2-2, 5,00) vs. Dodgers’ RHP River Ryan (1-0, 0.82)

Season-high crowd watches A’s outslug Dodgers 6-5

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s Brent Rooker (25) celebrates with JJ Bleday (33) after hitting a two run bottom of the fifth inning home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Oakland Coliseum on Fri Aug 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Friday, August 2, 2024

Oakland’s offense was sparked by three home runs Friday, as the Athletics survived a late scare and hung on for a 6-5 interleague win over the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Coliseum.

The Dodgers (63-47) still maintain a four-game lead in the NL West, while Oakland (46-65) occupies the AL West cellar. The announced crowd of 21,060 was a season-high for the lame-duck A’s.

Oakland, 9-4 since the All-Star break, led the majors with 45 home runs in July and didn’t slow up as the calendar flipped to August.

Brent Rooker’s two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning – his 27th – capped a four-run rally that included an RBI double by JJ Bleday and a run-scoring triple by Miguel Andujar, giving the A’s a 6-2 lead.

In the top of the ninth, Shohei Ohtani smacked a 416-foot drive to right for his 33rd home run of the season, a three-run shot with two out that pulled Los Angeles to within 6-5. A’s reliever Tyler Ferguson responded by getting Will Smith to hit into a game-ending groundout.

Ohtani’s homer snapped an 0-for-15 slump, but the Dodgers still lost for the fifth time in their last six games.

Los Angeles opened the scoring in the top of the first on Teoscar Hernandez’s two-run home run to left-center off A’s starter Joey Estes (5-4). It was the 23rd homer for Hernandez.

The Athletics tied the game at 2-2 with a pair of solo home runs in the bottom of the fourth Shea Langeliers cranked a 432-foot blast to left, and two batters later, Seth Brown connected with a 420-foot shot to deep right-center. It was the 21st homer for Langeliers, and the 10th for Brown. Both were hit off Dodgers starter Gavin Stone (9-5).

Estes worked six innings, giving up two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out six. Austin Adams, the third of five A’s pitchers, threw a 2/3 scoreless inning to pick up his 21st hold.

Stone, the first of five LA hurlers, struck out five, but also surrendered five earned runs on eight hits and a walk in four-plus innings.

Before the game, A’s infielder Darell Hernaiz (ankle) was reinstated from the 60-day injured list, and infielder Brett Harris was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas. Right-hander Luis Medina was transferred to the 60-day IL to create the roster spot for Hernaiz.

On Saturday, right-hander Jack Flaherty (7-5, 2.95), who was acquired by Los Angeles from Detroit before the trade deadline, will start for the Dodgers. The Athletics will counter with right-hander Mitch Spence (7-6, 4.47). Game time is 6:07 Pacific.

Giants finish brutal road trip with late 6-4 loss to Dodgers, as season hangs in balance

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants Jorge Soler swings for a single in the top of the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Thu Jul 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles, California

San Francisco Giants 4 (49-55)

Los Angeles Dodgers 6 (62-42)

Win: Blake Treinen (5-2)

Loss: Tyler Rogers (1-4)

Save: Brent Honeywell (1)

Time: 2:38

Attendance: 52,291

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants dropped the finale to the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium 6-4 to end this brutal road trip on Thursday afternoon, as back-to-back home runs by Nick Ahmed and Shohei Ohtani did the Giants in in the bottom of the eighth inning, and things are starting to become grim for the 2024 San Francisco Giants.

The Giants picked up a much-needed win Wednesday night, and they were hoping to salvage not just a split in this series, but a decent end to what has been a rough road trip to open the second half. Incredibly, here on July 25, this would be the final game between the Giants and the Dodgers this season.

This would also be a massive game for the Giants, who came into Thursday 49-54, and four and a half games back of the Cardinals for the third wild card spot. With the Trade Deadline coming up in five days, this would be a game that could potentially seal what Farhan Zaidi decides to do at the Trade Deadline next Tuesday.

The two rivals played a rare afternoon day game at Dodger Stadium, and Clayton Kershaw, one of the greatest left-handed pitchers in Dodgers History, would make his season debut. Kershaw and the Giants have had a lot of history since he first came up in 2008, and the Giants would once again be up against him in a big game.

Kershaw retired the first two men he faced to begin the game. Heliot Ramos doubled to center field, and Matt Chapman walked, but like the Giants have done throughout this road trip, they wasted this opportunity when Patrick Bailey struck out swinging to end the inning.

Giants’ ace Logan Webb took the ball in the bottom of the third. Webb gave up three runs in the bottom of the third inning at the All-Star Game in Arlington, Texas last Tuesday, and he labored through a rough outing in Denver on Saturday.

Thursday, Webb made his biggest start of the season in a rivalry game that could very well determine the fate of the team. He got off to a good start, as he walked Shohei Ohtani to start the bottom of the first, but retired the side in order afterwards.

Kershaw pitched a scoreless top of the second, and the Dodgers struck first in the bottom of the second. Gavin Lux walked to lead off the inning and advanced to second base on a ground out by Jason Heyward. With one out, Kiké Hernandez singled the other way to right to knock in Lux.

The Dodgers were preparing to do more, as Austin Barnes singled to right to put runners at first and second with one out. However, Webb settled down and retired the next two hitters to end the inning.

The Giants would then strike in the top of the third. Jorge Soler lined a base-hit to left to lead off the inning, and the suddenly-red-hot Tyler Fitzgerland lined a triple into the corner down the left field line to tie the game. Ramos hit a bullet off Kershaw, which reflected over to second base for a base-hit, and Fitzgerald scored to give the Giants the lead.

Matt Chapman lined a base-hit to center to move Ramos over to second. The Giants were looking to do more, but that was of course too much to ask from them, and Kershaw retired the next three to end the inning.

Webb pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the third, and Kershaw threw a scoreless top of the fourth. The Dodgers retook the lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Kiké Hernandez doubled in Gavin Lux, who walked to start the inning, and Austin Barnes singled in Hernandez.

Shohei Ohtani doubled Hernandez over to third, and Teoscar Hernandez walked, but Freddie Freeman popped out to third to end the inning. Being unable to add on had become an interesting theme in this game.

Joe Kelly came in for Kershaw in the top of the fifth, because Dave Roberts—or whatever nerd is managing the game in the Dodgers’ front office—obviously wasn’t going to stretch Kershaw in his first start back. Kershaw threw 72 pitches in his four innings Thursday.

The Giants wasted a shot against Kelly in the top of the fifth, and the Dodgers made them pay for it in the bottom of the inning. Andy Pages and Gavin Lux each singled to put runners at the corners with one out, and Pages scored when Jason Heyward grounded into a double play to make it 4-2.

Of course, Heyward did not get an RBI, as a player cannot get credited with an RBI if they ground into a double play. As for Webb, he was done after five, and it was another rough outing for him, as he gave up four runs and nine hits.

Daniel Hudson came in for Los Angeles and threw a scoreless top of the sixth. The Dodgers threatened to blow it open when they loaded the bases against Sean Hjelle with one out in the bottom of the sixth. For Hjelle, he was able to get Andy Pages to ground into a double play, and it remained 4-2 going to the late innings.

Evan Phillips threw a 1-2-3 top of the seventh inning, and Luke Jackson struck out the side in a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh.

The Giants showed that they still had some fight in them in the top of the eighth. David Villar doubled off left-hander Alex Vesia to start the inning, but Brett Wisely and Mike Yastrzemski both struck out. Michael Conforto hit a double off the bottom of the wall out in right-center to make it 4-3, and Roberts brought in Blake Treinen.

Jorge Soler came up, and he lined a base-hit to left to knock in Conforto and tie the game. The Giants indeed still had some fight in them, and they even had a chance to retake the league after Soler stole second. Though the Giants scored two runs to tie it, it was still too much of an ask for even the red-hot Fitzgerald to give them the lead, as he struck out to end the inning.

Submariner Tyler Rogers came in for the bottom of the eighth, and with one out, former Giant Nick Ahmed came to the plate. Ahmed and Ohtani may have put the dagger in the heart of the Giants’ season with back-to-back home runs to put the Dodgers back ahead 6-4. Brent Honeywell then threw a scoreless top of the ninth.

Blake Treinen got the win; Tyler Rogers took the loss; and Brent Honeywell picked up his first-career save.

The Giants end up going 2-5 on the road trip, as they fall back down to six games under .500 at 49-55, and they are now five and a half games back of the San Diego Padres for that third wild card spot in the National League.

The Giants end up going 4-9 against the Dodgers this season, and 1-6 at Dodger Stadium.

The Giants have the talent, and they’ve shown their potential at various times throughout the season. However, with the 2-5 start to the second half; the fact that they are now five and a half games back of the nearest playoff spot; and the frustration clearly mounting with the team, it is very possible that Farhan Zaidi could decide to sell at the Trade Deadline next Tuesday.

The one thing the Giants have going for them is that they are going to have the easiest schedule in Baseball over the next month. That will start when the Giants return home to face the Colorado Rockies in the first game of a four-game series Friday night.

Friday’s game will be a matchup of two left-handed Kyles. Kyle Harrison (5-4, 3.86 ERA) will make the start for the Giants, and Kyle Freeland (2-3, 5.63 ERA) will take the ball for Colorado. First pitch will be at 7:15 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

The Giants signed Derek Hill, who was activated Wednesday. He got the start in left-field today and went 0-for-2.

Some interesting facts about Hill, who comes from a baseball family. His father, Orsinom, was a scout for the Dodgers, the Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks. His cousin is Darryl Strawberry, and he was teammates with J.D. Davis and Rowdy Tellez at Elk Grove High School.

With Hill and Robbie Ray’s addition to the roster Wednesday, Luis Matos and Randy Rodriguez were sent back to Triple-A Sacramento.

According to Alex Pavlovic, the Giants’ beat writer for NBC Sports Bay Area, Jordan Hicks, who got off to a great start in April and May, after he was brought over by Farhan Zaidi and converted from a reliever into a starter but has struggled as of late, could be heading back to the bullpen.

Hicks was originally expected to start Sunday, but after saying his body felt “worn down,” he could be moved to the bullpen as early as this weekend.