Giants Overcome Dodgers in Thrilling Opener

SAN FRANCISCO: In a captivating MLB series opener at Oracle Park on Friday, the San Francisco Giants defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 8-7, fueled by Willy Adames’ impressive performance of three RBIs, including a home run and a triple, and Dominic Smith’s solo home run.

Jung Hoo Lee also made a significant contribution with three RBIs, and Matt Chapman scored twice for the Giants, who have now secured victories in seven of their last nine games.

This win has narrowed the Dodgers’ lead in the National League West from nine games to a more manageable four.

Shohei Ohtani delivered a remarkable moment for the Dodgers by hitting his 32nd home run of the season, sending the ball into McCovey Cove. Michael Conforto also contributed with a home run for Los Angeles. However, the Dodgers have now suffered seven consecutive losses, marking their longest losing streak since September 2017, when they lost 11 games in a row.

The game featured early exchanges in scoring, with both Ohtani and Adames hitting home runs. The Giants took control in the fifth inning, scoring five runs. Smith initiated the inning with his second homer of the season, and Adames concluded the rally with a two-out, two-run triple.

Dodgers’ starting pitcher Dustin May was taken out of the game just before Adames’ triple, having allowed seven runs in 4 2/3 innings.

Giants All-Star Logan Webb pitched for 5 1/3 innings, giving up six runs before the bullpen took over. Conforto’s two-run homer in the sixth inning narrowed the Dodgers’ deficit to two runs, and Will Smith’s RBI single in the seventh further reduced it to one run.

Ultimately, Tyler Rogers and closer Camilo Doval secured the win, with Doval earning his 15th save by inducing a game-ending double play from Smith in the ninth inning with two runners on base.

Lee led the Giants with three hits, while Mookie Betts, Hyeseong Kim, and Will Smith each recorded two hits for the Dodgers.

Shohei Ohtani is scheduled to pitch for the Dodgers on Saturday, facing Giants right-hander Landen Roupp.