by Murat Karul
Enrique Hernandez’s three-run home run ignited a five-run rally after San Francisco’s Kyle Harrison left the game while pitching a no-hitter. The visiting Los Angeles Dodgers secured their 100th win with a 5-2 victory on Sunday afternoon.
The Dodgers reached the coveted 100-win mark for the fourth consecutive regular season, providing a boost of confidence as they head into the National League playoffs, where they’ve earned a bye into the division series.
In the ninth inning, San Francisco’s Brandon Crawford received a standing ovation as he left the game, having gone 0-for-4. This game may have marked his final appearance in a Giants uniform after 13 seasons. Crawford, who had been on the injured list due to a hamstring injury, was activated before the game.
The Giants (79-83) suffered their second loss in three games under interim manager Kai Correa, who took over after Gabe Kapler’s dismissal at the start of the series. Correa made the decision to remove Harrison from the game after the rookie threw 94 pitches in five no-hit innings. Harrison, who had recently battled a respiratory illness and missed a scheduled start, issued two walks, hit three batters, and struck out four.
The game remained scoreless until Will Smith’s single to left field in the sixth inning sparked a scoring spree. John Brebbia, who relieved Harrison, walked Max Muncy, and was then replaced by Taylor Rogers. Rogers struck out Kolten Wong but gave up consecutive RBI singles to Amed Rosario and James Outman. Hernandez’s 11th home run of the season to left field extended the lead to 5-0.
Rookie Casey Schmitt accounted for both of San Francisco’s runs with two solo homers, his fourth and fifth of the season. Both came off the third Dodgers pitcher, Ryan Pepiot, following solid outings by Bobby Miller and Victor Gonzalez, who combined for five shutout innings. Miller pitched four innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out four. He is expected to start Game 2 of the NLDS. Gonzalez (3-3) earned the win after a hitless fifth inning.
The Dodgers were led by Will Smith, who had two hits. They won the season series 7-6.
Apart from Schmitt’s homers, the only other hit for the Giants was Blake Sabol’s third-inning single. The Giants finished in fourth place in the NL West.
In the fourth inning, the Dodgers’ Chris Taylor exited the game after being hit by a pitch from Harrison.
