The Los Angeles Dodgers erupted for five runs in the sixth inning to defeat the San Francisco Giants, 5-2, in the rubber match at Oracle Park and 2023 finale. The Dodgers finished with 100 wins and handed the Giants a losing season.
Kyle Harrison held the Dodgers hitless through five innings, but the Giants bullpen was unable to follow suit. John Brebbia gave up a leadoff single to Will Smith in the sixth and later walked Max Muncy.
Taylor Rogers then took over and struck out Kolten Wong before allowing the Dodgers to string a rally together. Amed Rosario’s two-out RBI single provided the Dodgers with a 1-0 lead, which James Outman doubled on his flare into center field that scored Muncy.
Kiké Hernández then broke the game open with a three-run homer. That also gave the Dodgers an MLB-leading 359 runs scored with two outs this season.
The offensive explosion alleviated some frustration for the Dodgers. Harrison began his outing by hitting two of the first three batters faced. Freddie Freeman was grazed in the hip and Smith took a pitch off his left bicep. Smith had some words for Harrison before taking first base.
Harrison then hit Chris Taylor in the left knee during the fourth inning. Taylor was checked on by Dodgers trainer Thomas Albert and manager Dave Roberts before initially remaining in the game. He played the field in the bottom of the fourth but was removed in the fifth inning.
Mookie Betts also came out of the game early, though simply due to getting him some rest. Betts finished one home run shy of hitting 40.
He nevertheless became the second player in Dodgers franchise history with a .300 batting average, at least 40 doubles, 35 home runs, 100 RBI and 125 runs scored. Babe Herman accomplished the feat in 1930, and the last overall player to do so was Albert Pujols in 2004.
Freeman played all nine innings but fell short of a personal milestone as well, finishing with 59 doubles to go along with 29 home runs. Freeman was within range of becoming the first player in MLB history with 60 doubles and 30 home runs in the same season.
On the pitching front, Bobby Miller went the targeted four innings in his final tuneup before the postseason. Miller allowed just one hit and issued one walk while collecting four strikeouts.
Dodgers make MLB history with 100 wins
The Dodgers became the first team in MLB history with at least 100 wins in four consecutive full seasons. It’s their fifth time in the past seven years of reaching 100 wins.
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!
