In the first of a three-game set that has the full attention of the baseball world, the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers — two teams that entered Friday night’s affair tied for the best record in baseball — went to extras in an eventual 3-2 win for San Francisco that ended in a dramatic error at first base that brought across the winning run in the 11th.
First let’s back up for a second, though.
After taking a 1-0 lead in the third inning, the Giants pitched a three-hitter through eight innings on the strength of starter Anthony DeSclafani (6 innings, two hits, five Ks). The Dodgers tied it in the ninth, though, on a Chris Taylor fly ball to center that scored Justin Turner. The Dodgers needed nine pitchers to get through the first nine frames, plus an unexpected effort from starting pitcher Walker Buehler on the basepaths in the 10th — Buehler scored the go-ahead run in the first extra inning after pinch running for Albert Pujols. Brandon Crawford singled home Buster Posey in the 10th to tie things up once again, setting the stage for the dramatic 11th.
The Dodgers used 11 pitchers in total Friday night (plus Buehler on offense) leading to a host of switches that eventually slid Los Angeles catcher Will Smith from behind the plate to first base. That set the scene for the final play and the end of a four-and-a-half-hour marathon at Oracle Park.
After loading the bases in the 11th against reliever Evan Phillips, Posey hit what looked to be the final out of the 11th, meaning a trip to the 12th for the NL West leaders.
Posey’s two-out grounder to Trea Turner forced the second baseman to twirl around after fielding it, take one pump, then throw to first.
But Turner threw high and wide, forcing Smith to fully extend, lifting his back leg off the bag. With Posey hard-charging, Smith — who had never played first base as a college or a pro — anxiously tried to re-find the base, tapping his toe instead into the dirt just inches from first with the Giants’ 34-year-old catcher flying across the bag just in time. Belt scored during the commotion, giving the Giants a temporary 3-2 win.
Both teams exited the field, the umpires went to the replay booth, and a couple minutes later the safe call was upheld, giving the Giants win and a 1-game lead in the race for the NL West crown and MLB’s best record.
The script could be flipped Saturday, when the Giants are expected to trot out a host of pitchers in a likely bullpen game (a starter has yet to be named). Los Angeles lefty Julio Urías (15-3, 3.17 ERA) takes the mound for LA on a three-game win streak.
