The Los Angeles Dodgers have struggled out of the gate to begin the 2018 season, dropping consecutive games to the rival San Francisco Giants by final scores of 1-0, with second baseman Joe Panik solely accounting for the production via two solo home runs.
The Giants became the first team in MLB history to win back-to-back games by a final score of 1-0, with the same player homering in both contests, per STATS. Furthermore, San Francisco is the first team since the 1943 Cincinnati Reds to open a season with consecutive 1-0 victories.
For the Dodgers, it’s just the second time in franchise history they were shut out in their first two games of a season. The 1968 club also suffered the same fate, and they went on to post a 76-86 record and ultimately missed the postseason.
The only other team to start a season with back-to-back 1-0 losses was the 1943 St. Louis Cardinals, who were defeated by the Reds in those games.
Additionally, the Dodgers have suffered consecutive 1-0 defeats for the first time since 2000, and the Giants won back-to-back 1-0 road games for the first time since 1908.
Through two games, Los Angeles has accounted for just seven hits — all singles; two of which came from Clayton Kershaw on Opening Day. The Dodgers have collectively struck out 18 times while leaving 17 runners on base.
In addition to his accomplishing a rare feat, the Giants’ win on Friday was Bruce Bochy’s 100th career victory at Dodger Stadium. He’s the only visiting manager in MLB history to reach that threshold.
Bochy began his managerial career in 1995 with the San Diego Padres, and spent 12 seasons at the helm before eventually taking the helm in San Francisco.
