IN SAN FRANCISCO After J.D. Martinez launched a three-run home run, Freddie Freeman got his 59th double of the year, and the Los Angeles Dodgers, who lead the NL West, defeated the San Francisco Giants 6-2 on Friday night.
Bench coach Kai Correa’s Giants saw Wilmer Flores hit a home run and an RBI single. Three games shy of Gabe Kapler’s fourth season ending, San Francisco sacked the manager earlier in the day.
In the sixth inning, Freeman doubled with one out, tying Todd Helton’s record from 2000 for the most doubles in a major league season since 1936 and the seventh-most all-time. Before Martinez blasted his 33rd home run off Giants right-hander Keaton Winn (1-3), Smith was hit by a pitch.
In the first, Smith launched a two-run home run, and in the third, Freeman did the same.
After not playing a part in the Giants’ 10-inning victory on Sunday at Dodger Stadium, Lance Lynn (13-11) won his third straight decision in six innings while allowing two runs on two hits, striking out four and walking four.
The Giants (78-82) need two victories this weekend to win the season series for the first time since taking 10 of 19 in 2021. They will finish with a losing record after going 81-81 last year. In their last five meetings, Los Angeles has prevailed four times.
San Francisco’s run total has slipped to 8–18 in September, which is worst in the National League and tied for last place in all of baseball. The team has been held to two runs or fewer in six straight games.
In order to make his sixth career start and his first since September 16 at Colorado, Winn was activated prior to the game. He was listed as injured on the COVID-19 list as of September 19.
RECEIVING TRIBUTE
The Giants observed a minute of silence in memory of the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a Democrat from California and the first female mayor of San Francisco. Feinstein, 90, passed away Thursday night.
AWARD FOR WILLIE MAC
During a pregame ceremony, San Francisco second baseman Thairo Estrada was presented with the 2023 Willie Mac Award, which is given in honor of the late Hall of Famer Willie McCovey.
Players, coaches, and training staff vote for the Giants player who most embodies McCovey’s motivating ways in the clubhouse and on the field to win this accolade.
SCHOLAR’S ROOM
Braves: 1B As a precaution to keep himself fresh, Max Muncy took the night off to rest. Though not at the expense of anyone’s health in front of the playoffs, Los Angeles (99-61) manager Dave Roberts would want to see his team achieve 100 wins this weekend. As long as no player’s health is jeopardized, Roberts stated, “I think we’ve put ourselves in a position to do that and I think it’s worth something.”
Big Blue: 3B After suffering a strained left shoulder on a slide in the first inning of Tuesday’s game, J.D. Davis was placed on the 10-day disabled list. lhep Due to sickness, Kyle Harrison was forced to withdraw from his planned start on Tuesday. He will pitch in the season finale on Sunday…. OF With effect from Tuesday, Mitch Haniger was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a low back strain.
ROSTER CHANGES
The Giants optioned C Joey Bart to Sacramento and recalled INF Casey Schmitt from Triple-A Sacramento. R.H. Luke Jackson’s listing as a paternity child was restored.
UP NORTH
In his last regular-season outing, Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (13-4, 2.42 ERA) takes the mound on Saturday night in an attempt to build on his 26-15 career record versus the San Francisco Giants and his 1.99 ERA, which is the lowest of any opponent he has faced with at least 30 starts. San Francisco’s RHP Tristan Beck (3-3, 4.05) takes the mound.