Dustin May turned in a stellar start and contributions throughout the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup helped manufacture offense in 5-0 win over the San Francisco Giants in front of a national audience for “Friday Night Baseball” on Apple TV+.
May expressed frustration after struggling against the San Diego Padres in back-to-back outings, and he responded with five no-hit innings at Oracle Park. The Giants’ lone baserunner during that time came on Brandon Crawford’s one-out walk in the second inning that was wiped away when Thairo Estrada grounded into a double play.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said May would be limited to 75-80 pitches in just his fifth start back from Tommy John surgery. Roberts stuck to that despite May’s no-hitter by removing him at 69 pitches. It nevertheless marked the ninth time this season a Dodgers starting pitcher completed at least five no-hit innings.
Alex Vesia lost the combined no-hitter on a softly hit grounder that went for an infield single with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. That wound up being one of just two hits the Dodgers bullpen allowed as they completed the shutout.
Offensively, the Dodgers mixed slugging with situational hitting. Max Muncy led off the second inning with a double and moved to third base on Justin Turner’s groundout. Joey Gallo, who made a terrific sliding catch in the first inning, then was rewarded for putting the ball in play as Muncy scored on a chopper hit to first base.
After Turner’s leadoff double in the fourth inning, Gallo advanced him with a grounder, and Chris Taylor followed with an RBI single. Taylor moved into scoring position on Logan Webb’s wild pitch, and Cody Bellinger brought him in on a base hit.
Bellinger later stole second base with two outs and that was cashed in by Trea Turner extending his hitting streak to 12 games with an RBI single. Although it didn’t amount to anything, Justin Turner set a new career high in the fifth inning by hitting his 36th double of the season.
Webb threw 90 pitches and was removed after just four innings. The Dodgers’ four runs off Webb were the most he’s allowed in a start since Aug. 1.
After holding the Dodgers to one run over six innings in his first start against them this season, Webb has allowed 13 runs in 15 innings over their past three meetings.
Dodgers magic numbers for postseason scenarios
Although the National League West is wrapped up, the final three weeks still represent opportunity for L.A.
The Dodgers’ magic number to clinch a bye over the St. Louis Cardinals and secure a berth in the NL Division Series is now four. The Dodgers’ magic number for the No. 1 seed in the NL over the New York Mets is nine.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
