The Dodgers are heating up at just the right time. On Saturday night in San Francisco, the Dodgers showed why they remain the team to beat in the NL West. Despite a few player injuries, Los Angeles’ bats came alive in a huge 13-7 win over the Giants, helping them stay right on track as the regular season winds down.
Offense Steals the Spotlight
For much of the season, the Dodgers have leaned on their starting pitching, but the offense was the highlight of this game. Teoscar Hernández had one of his best nights of the year. He went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and set an early tone. Los Angeles racked up 17 hits, with every starter in the lineup recording at least one hit. Max Muncy left the game after being hit on the head by a pitch. Thankfully, per multiple reports, he is reported to be fine.
Shohei Ohtani also delivered a jaw-dropping home run that disappeared into the Oracle Park night sky. Although Clayton Kershaw didn’t have his best outing, giving up four runs early, he managed to keep the game under control until the offense took over.
The turning point came in the fifth inning, when the Dodgers put together a relentless rally. They loaded the bases, worked deep counts, and turned quality at-bats into a six-run outburst that broke the game open. Teoscar Hernández stayed hot during the surge. Mookie Betts, Michael Conforto, and Ben Rortvedt all delivered key hits, maintaining pressure on San Francisco’s bullpen.
Injury Challenges
Even with the offense firing, injuries have created real challenges. Catcher Will Smith is currently on the 10-day injured list with a bone bruise on his right hand from a foul tip back on September 3. He attempted to return to the lineup last week. Persistent hand swelling led the team to give him more recovery time. Smith has been one of Los Angeles’ most dependable hitters this season. He carries a .296 average and a .901 OPS through 110 games, making his absence notable.
Rookie Dalton Rushing is also sidelined with a shin contusion, which has placed backup catcher Ben Rortvedt into starting duties behind the dish for the time being. While Rortvedt has been steady defensively, the Dodgers will be glad to get Smith back soon to strengthen both their lineup and pitching coordination.
Despite these setbacks, Los Angeles appears determined as the postseason approaches. The win over San Francisco truly showed the team’s depth, with the players stepping up in crucial moments. The combination of power from stars like Ohtani and consistent hitting from players like Hernández gives the team a balanced attack that could carry them deep into October.
Building Momentum for the Playoffs
With their division lead intact and just a few weeks remaining in the regular season, the Dodgers are building the kind of momentum every contender wants. If they keep playing like they did on Saturday, they’ll be tough for anyone to stop when the playoffs begin.
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