Dodgers Rout Giants in Sweep Finale
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Gavin Lux, left rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam against Anthony DeScalafani, right from the San Francisco Giants during the third inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Sunday, May 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
2021.05.23 – Gavin Lux hit a grand slam off of Anthony DeSclafani as part of a seven-run third inning, and the Los Angeles Dodgers rout the San Francisco Giants 11-5 before a crowd of 13,346 in a sweep finale at Oracle Park.
With the victory, the Dodgers swept the Giants and leapfrogged them into second place, a game behind the San Diego Padres and the Giants, who entered the weekend in first place, and are now in third place and two games behind the Padres.
“I think first and foremost we’re acknowledging the fact we got beat every which way in this series,” Gabe Kapler said. “They made more pitches than us, got more big hits than us, they played better defense, and converted more plays into outs than we did.”
It was a rough day for DeSclafani, as he lasted 2.2 innings. He allowed 10 runs on nine hits, walking three and striking out three and saw his record fall to 4-2 on the season.
“I think it’s important to forget about this game as quickly as I can and continue to move forward,” DeSclafani said. “I feel like I’ve been throwing the ball really well, I’ve had a good season to this point, and it’s important I put this game behind me.”
It was in the third inning, that the Dodgers blew the game wide open, as they batted around and scored seven runs on five hits. The big blow came with the Lux grand slam – it was his second grand slam of the week – he also hit a grand slam on Tuesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.
Yoshi Tsutsugo got the Dodgers scoring going in the top of the second inning, as he singled to right field to score Will Smith. After, DeSclafani was able to get DJ Peters to strikeout, then Julio Urias hit a two-run double over the head of Mike Yastrzemski to lengthen the Dodgers lead.
Max Beaty pile on the act in the top of the third inning, as he singled to score Max Muncy, then Chris Taylor singled in Smith and right after Tsutsugo grounded out for the first out of the inning. Peters was intentionally walked to bring up Urias with the bases loaded and he beat out an infield hit to Beaty. Then Lux unloaded them with one swing of the bat for the grand slam.
2021.05.23 (SF Giants vs. LA Dodgers) See video
San Francisco Giants’ Donovan Solano tries getting an out against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Sunday, May 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
2021.05.23 (SF Giants vs. LA Dodgers) See video
2021.05.23 (SF Giants vs. LA Dodgers) See video
Dodger’s Urias was cruising along, as he was perfect until Mike Tauchman beat out an infield dribbler with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning. After, Urias struck out Caleb Baragar for the second out of the inning. Austin Slater broke up the shutout, when he hit a two-run home run, Urias then gave up a single to Donovan Solano before getting Yastrzemski out on strikes.
Urias went six innings, allowing two runs on three hits, he did not walk a batter and struck out 10 to improve to 7-1 on the season. This was his third career double figure strikeout game for Urias, as his previous two also came this season.
The Giants cut into the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, as they scored three runs in the frame. Solano hit a sacrifice fly that scored Tauchman from third base, Tauchman walked to lead off the inning, went to third on a pinch-hit double by Steven Duggar. Slater then walked and then Solano hit a sacrifice fly to score Tauchman.
Over the final 6.1 innings, the Giants allowed just one run in just two hits, walking one and striking out two.
2021.05.23 (Renewal of Giants-Dodgers rivalry) See video
San Francisco Giants’ Anthony DeSclafani pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Sunday, May 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
2021.05.23 (Renewal of Giants-Dodgers rivalry) See video
2021.05.23 (Renewal of Giants-Dodgers rivalry) See video
Yastrzemski hit a two-run double in the eighth and Solano had a sacrifice fly for the Giants, who lost their third straight game following a five-game winning streak.
DeSclafani, who won his previous two starts, yielded 10 runs — all earned — on nine hits in 2 2/3 innings.
He is one of three Giants pitchers since at least 1906 to allow 10 or more earned runs against the Dodgers, joining Jim Barr (10) on July 3, 1977, and Max Lanier (10) on April 19, 1952, according to Sportradar.
“It’s certainly frustrating,” DeSclafani said.
PUJOLS’ IMPACT
Roberts has noticed his players doing their best to impress veteran slugger Albert Pujols.
The 41-year-old Pujols is making a noticeable impact already in the clubhouse and on the field after just six games in Dodger Blue.
“We got him not only because we expected him to perform on the field but his impact with the guys has been immediate,” Roberts said. “Everyone is on their best behavior when he’s around and I say that a little tongue in cheek. The way he prepares each day, his demeanor, guys want to kind of please him because he sets the bar, that’s a Hall of Fame bar. I think the level of play, the focus, which has always been good, Albert has enhanced that.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Dodgers: OF Mookie Betts was a late scratch with a shoulder issue that came up while taking pregame swings. He should return Tuesday. … Los Angeles placed reliever Jimmy Nelson on the injured list with forearm inflammation. … Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was off regardless after pitching three of the previous four days, four of six and earning saves in each of those outings, including his 11th Saturday night. … CF Cody Bellinger, who hit a home run in his rehab game for Triple-A Oklahoma City as he works back from a bruised left calf, and utility-man Zach McKinstry (strained right oblique) are closer to returning. … AJ Pollock (strained left hamstring) has been running in recent days and Roberts is hopeful of him rejoining the team early in the week or perhaps getting a short rehab stint.
Giants: 1B Brandon Belt got a day off but was available off the bench. … LHP Scott Kazmir’s status in the rotation beyond his start Saturday is unclear as the Giants wait on the health of two other pitchers. RHP Logan Webb, on the injured list with a strained shoulder, played catch Saturday out to 75 feet and was scheduled to throw again Sunday. RHP Aaron Sanchez (right biceps tightness) played catch out to 60 feet Saturday and again Sunday. … INF Wilmer Flores hit off a tee Saturday, played catch and took grounders and is expected to be activated close to on time as he deals with right hamstring tightness.
UP NEXT
Giants: head out on the road and the trip begins with a two-game stop in Arizona against the Diamondbacks and then onto Los Angeles to face the Dodgers in a four-game series beginning on Thursday.
Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (6-3, 3.18 ERA) takes the mound Tuesday at Houston opposite RHP Zack Greinke (4-1, 3.77) in a potential interleague pitchers’ duel. Kershaw hasn’t faced the Astros in the regular season since 2015 but went 1-0 with a 4.02 ERA vs. Houston over three appearances in a 2017 World Series defeat.
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