Los Angeles. The young Cuban Andy Pagés became a hero this Sunday by hitting a three-run home run in the fifth inning, guiding the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants, in a key duel of the National League West Division.
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With the score 3-2 in favor of San Francisco, Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts opened the fifth inning with singles. After Freddie Freeman was retired with a ground ball and the Dominican Teoscar Hernández struck out, Pagés took advantage of a slider from reliever Ryan Walker and deposited it between left and center field for his 13th home run of the campaign, giving the Dodgers the definitive lead.
Pagés also drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the first inning, while Tommy Edman hit a solo home run in the second. Ohtani shone with the bat by recording three hits and scoring two runs, being a key piece for the Dodgers to extend their lead to two games over the Giants in the divisional standings.
Dustin May (4-4) managed to survive control issues in his six innings of work, allowing three runs and six hits, with four walks, two hit batsmen, and three strikeouts. Closer Tanner Scott sealed the victory by striking out the three batters he faced in the ninth, earning his 13th save of the year.
For the Giants, Jung Hoo Lee hit a two-run triple in the fourth inning, while Daniel Johnson hit a home run as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning. Starting pitcher Kyle Harrison was replaced at the last minute after being traded to Boston in a trade for Rafael Devers. Sean Hjelle started in his place and allowed two runs in three and two-thirds innings, and Joey Lucchesi (0-1) took the loss from the bullpen.
With this triumph, the Dodgers continue their firm pace in the fight for the top of the West and once again demonstrate their offensive depth, this time at the hands of one of their emerging talents.
