Giants at Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers' pursuit of the best record in the majors took a hit in the series opener against the San Francisco Giants. Los Angeles (92-51) attempts to possibly inch back ahead of the New York Yankees and Houston Astros - both at 92-50 - when it hosts the Giants on Saturday in the middle contest of the three-game set.
Mauricio Dubon went 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs and Mike Yastrzemski contributed a two-run double as the Giants registered a 5-4 victory on Friday. San Francisco's win was just its fifth in the past 17 games and the club is no longer part of the National League wild-card chase though it remains mathematically alive. The Dodgers' magic number for clinching the NL West is four with only the Arizona Diamondbacks still not eliminated. A.J. Pollock recorded the second three-homer game of his career on Friday - all were solo shots - as Los Angeles extended its NL homer record to 253.
TV: 9:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Tyler Beede (3-9, 5.61 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Tony Gonsolin (2-1, 2.89)
Beede has lost six straight decisions and is winless in his past nine starts since beating the Milwaukee Brewers on July 14. The 26-year-old lost to the St. Louis Cardinals in his last turn when he gave up three runs and five hits over four innings. Beede allowed one run and three hits over six innings in a win over the Dodgers on June 17 in his lone appearance against the club.
Gonsolin is making his sixth big league start and seventh appearance. The 25-year-old received a no-decision against the Arizona Diamondbacks in his last turn when he gave up two runs and three hits over five innings. Gonsolin has allowed one run and four hits in 11 innings over two starts at Dodger Stadium.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Dodgers recalled C Austin Barnes from Triple-A Oklahoma City and plan to activate LHP Rich Hill (flexor tendon) from the 60-day injured list late next week.
2. San Francisco LH Will Smith allowed Pollock's third homer in the ninth but recovered to post his 32nd save.
3. Struggling Los Angeles LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (21 earned runs allowed in 19 innings over last four starts) is being skipped one turn in the rotation after his ERA soared from 1.45 to 2.45.