Dodgers Recap: Ohtani Splashes Down; Bats Show Signs of Life but Still Sink in the End

SAN FRANCISCO — The Dodgers’ phenomonal slugger Shohei Ohtani continued to pad his All-Star resume on Friday night, slugging a no-doubt two-run homer that sent the kayakers into San Francisco Bay and briefly gave the Dodgers a 2-1 lead. Sadly that was about the only good news I have to report from Oracle Park. The rest, not so wonderful. Dustin May started strongly enough, but faltered mightily in the fifth inning, and the Giants pounced and then held on for dear life, racking up an 8-7 victory and sending the Dodgers to their seventh straight loss.

After the Ohtani blast gave the Dodgers a momentary lead, San Francisco responded quickly. Jung Hoo Lee ripped a two-run triple in the fourth to put the Giants up 3–2.

The bottom of the fifth inning may have been the final nail in the coffin for Dustin May’s case as a reliable starter. With the Dodgers trailing, May unraveled quickly—giving up a leadoff homer to Dominic Smith, then loading the bases with a pair of walks and a single. A forceout brought in another run before May was finally pulled for Anthony Banda, but the damage didn’t stop there. Banda promptly gave up a two-run triple to Willy Adames and an RBI single to Jung Hoo Lee, capping a five-run inning for the Giants. May’s inability to put hitters away or limit the damage under pressure continues to be a concern. With bigger arms like Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow nearing full health, it’s becoming increasingly clear that May might be more effective—and less exposed—in a bullpen role.

To their credit, the Dodgers’ bats didn’t go quietly. Down 8–2 in the sixth, they mounted a rally: Teoscar Hernández hit a two-run double, and Michael Conforto followed with a two-run blast to center—his eighth of the season—cutting the deficit to 8–6. Will Smith drove in Mookie Betts with an RBI single in the seventh to make it a one-run game. It was the first signs of life from this listless offense in more than a week.

But sadly, that was as close as L.A. would get. The Dodgers had a shot in the ninth after Betts singled and Esteury Ruiz came in to pinch-run and steal second. Freddie Freeman walked to put the go-ahead run on base, but Will Smith grounded into a game-ending double play off Giants closer Camilo Doval, who earned his 15th save.

Hyeseong Kim had a standout game at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double and two stolen bases, and Betts reached base three times with two hits and a walk. Despite the late surge and 11 hits total, the Dodgers couldn’t overcome May’s rough outing.

The loss narrows the division lead, with the Giants creeping closer in the NL West race. The Dodgers still sit atop the standings, but questions loom large about how they’ll configure their rotation when reinforcements arrive. If Friday’s game was any indication, May’s days as a starter may be numbered.

The Dodgers will try to break the losing streak (again) on Saturday, with Shohei Ohtani on the mound (for a while, anyway). The Giants counter with righty Landen Roup (6-5, 3.39 ERA, 81 SO). It’s a day game, 1:05 start, so mark your calendars accordingly. Let’s hope there is a light at the end of this very dark tunnel. Until then, Dodgers fans…

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