The Los Angeles Dodgers took the field Saturday afternoon with an opportunity to accomplish something special. A win over the San Francisco Giants would have been their 105th of the season, which would mark the most in Los Angeles franchise history and tie the overall franchise record.
Runs were at a premium, but the Dodgers were able to break through and hang on for a 2-0 victory over the Giants to accomplish the impressive feat, putting the cherry on top of a memorable season. If the Dodgers win Sunday’s regular-season finale, they will set the franchise record for wins at 106.
Hyun-Jin Ryu got the start for the Dodgers in his final regular-season tuneup and he looked as great as he has all season. The Major-League ERA leader and Cy Young candidate shut the Giants out for seven innings, allowing just five hits while striking out seven and walking none to close out his outstanding season.
In Ryu’s last start, he hit his first career home run on a drive to right-center. While he did not hit No. 2 on Saturday, he was still able to contribute with hit bat by hitting an RBI single with two outs in the fifth. The hit brought home Gavin Lux, who doubled to right, to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.
Max Muncy then doubled that lead to 2-0 in the sixth with a home run to right, his 35th of the season. That ties his career-high and along with Cody Bellinger (47) and Joc Pederson (36), marks the first time in franchise history that three Dodgers have hit 35 or more home runs in the same season.
That was it for the Dodgers offense on the day, but the 2-0 lead was more than enough as the bullpen was lights out in relief of Ryu. Kenta Maeda tossed a scoreless eighth and then Kenley Jansen shut things down in the ninth to complete the victory.
