Steve Webb
Game 84, 6/29/2024: Dodgers 14, Giants 7 (11)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA — In a game that will be remembered for its nail-biting tension and dramatic turnarounds, the Dodgers emerged victorious over the San Francisco Giants in an extra-inning thriller at Oracle Park. The Dodgers, led by the heroics of catcher Will Smith, mounted an exhilarating comeback to secure a 14-7 win after 11 intense innings.
Tyler Glasnow got the ball in this one for the Dodgers, so on paper it looked like a low-scoring affair. Think again, bub. Instead, the game began with the Giants taking an early lead in the very first inning. Jorge Soler’s double set the stage, and Heliot Ramos‘ sacrifice fly brought Soler home, putting San Francisco ahead 1-0. The Dodgers quickly responded in the top of the second inning with Andy Pages doubling and Miguel Rojas driving him in, tying the game at 1-1.
The momentum swung back and forth, with Shohei Ohtani’s solo homer (his NL-leading 26th of the year) in the third inning giving the Dodgers a brief 2-1 lead, only for the Giants to surge ahead 5-2 in the bottom of the same inning. Key hits from Jorge Soler, Patrick Bailey, and Matt Chapman helped the Giants build their advantage. And that was it for Glasnow on the day. The dude just didn’t bring the good stuff to the park in this one: 3.0 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 1 K. Luckily for him, this game was far from over.
In the fourth inning, the Dodgers demonstrated their resilience as they rallied with a series of singles from Rojas, Gavin Lux, and Will Smith, leveling the score at 5-5. Freddie Freeman’s walk then forced in the go-ahead run, putting Los Angeles ahead 6-5.
The Giants clawed back to tie the game at 6-6 in the fifth inning, thanks to Brett Wisely’s RBI single. The teams remained deadlocked through regular innings, with both bullpens stepping up to keep the game tight. Notably, Camilo Doval struck out Andy Pages with two runners on base in the ninth, preventing the Dodgers from pulling ahead.
As the game moved into extra innings, the tension at Oracle Park was palpable. The Dodgers struck first in the 10th inning with Miguel Rojas’ single driving in free runner Chris Taylor, making it 7-6. However, the Giants answered in the bottom half when David Villar doubled, bringing home Brett Wisely to tie the game once more at 7-7. However, the Giants had the bases loaded with just one out, and required some quick thinking from Dave Roberts, who employed the seldom-seen five-man infield to face catcher Patrick Bailey with the winning run at third. It turned out the extra fielder wasn’t needed. Hudson got Bailey to whiff on a slider out of the zone, and Taylor could return to his position. Matt Chapman, who had the big home run on Friday night, ended the threat with a pop out to Will Smith to send the Dodgers back to the bat rack with another crack at lanky righty Sean Hjelle.
The pivotal moment came in the 11th inning. With Enrique Hernández starting at second base, Shohei Ohtani was intentionally walked (boo!), bringing Will Smith to the plate. Smith, who had been instrumental throughout the game, delivered a clutch two-run double to center field, giving the Dodgers a 9-7 lead. Freddie Freeman followed with another double, driving in Smith and extending the lead to 10-7.
The Dodgers didn’t stop there. Teoscar Hernández’s single, Chris Taylor’s RBI single, and Jason Heyward’s two-run triple broke the game wide open. By the time Miguel Rojas added a sacrifice fly, the Dodgers had tallied seven runs in the inning, putting the game firmly out of the Giants’ reach at 14-7.
Ryan Yarbrough took the mound in the bottom of the 11th to seal the victory. He efficiently retired the side in order, securing the Dodgers’ impressive comeback win.
Will Smith’s performance was nothing short of heroic. Beyond his crucial two-run double in the 11th, he was a steady force both at the plate and behind it, managing the pitching staff through tense moments. His leadership and timely hitting were pivotal in the Dodgers’ triumph. He was 3-for-6 with three RBIs and a run scored. But let’s give some props to Miguel Rojas as well. The day after “the streak” was broken, he said, “No biggie, how about I go 3-for-5 with four RBI?” Rojas on the year is now approaching a .300 average. Not bad for a “bench player,” eh?
The game showcased the Dodgers’ depth and tenacity, epitomized by clutch hitting and the team’s collective effort. This victory not only highlighted the dramatic nature of baseball but also underscored the Dodgers’ resilience and ability to perform under pressure.
As fans departed Oracle Park, the excitement of the night’s game lingered, a testament to the enduring allure of America’s pastime and the unforgettable heroics of Will Smith, Miggy Ro and the Dodgers. The rubber game is on Sunday, and we’ll see what James Paxton has in store for us for the finale. Game time is 1:05 PDT. Whew!
