Giants falter as Dodgers' bullpen clinches narrow advantage and secures victory
Dodgers Secure 2-1 Win Over Giants Behind Strong Pitching and Manufactured Runs
In a nail-biting game at Dodger Stadium on Monday, September 19, 2025, the Los Angeles Dodgers edged out the San Francisco Giants, strengthening their grip on the NL West.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Dodgers' starting pitcher, shone in the early stages, pitching 5 1/3 scoreless innings against the Giants. His performance set the tone for the game, keeping the score level until the Dodgers' offense could manufacture some runs.
The Dodgers' lineup, which has been finding its rhythm, managed only two runs off Giants ace Logan Webb. Freddie Freeman contributed with an RBI single in the sixth inning, and Shohei Ohtani added a double in the same inning.
The seventh inning was an adventure for the Dodgers' bullpen, with both Michael Kopech and Blake Treinen struggling with their command. However, Treinen stepped up in the clutch, striking out Willy Adames and Matt Chapman to preserve the Dodgers' 2-1 lead. Dave Roberts praised Treinen's performance as a confidence boost.
The Dodgers' bullpen, a area of concern, managed to hold on and secure the win. The final six outs were recorded with ease, with Anthony Banda and Alex Vesia pitching in the eighth and ninth innings respectively. Vesia picked up the save in the ninth, sealing the victory for the Dodgers.
The Dodgers' bullpen's performance was particularly impressive given that they did not use experienced pitchers like Craig Kimbrel or David Price in the game. This was likely due to Clayton Kershaw making what could be his final regular-season start at Dodger Stadium. The team had confidence in their lineup to secure the win, and Kershaw's role and sentimental value were emphasized over bullpen concerns, despite a high bullpen ERA in September.
Meanwhile, Roki Sasaki, a potential bullpen option, continued to impress in the minor leagues. In a triple-A game in Tacoma, Wash., Sasaki retired three of the four batters he faced with two strikeouts. His fastball topped out at 100.1 mph, showcasing his potential as a valuable asset for the Dodgers in the future.
Elsewhere, the Ontario Tower Buzzers, the Dodgers' California League team, revealed their name on Thursday, eight months before their first game. The team is expected to be a promising addition to the Dodgers' farm system.
However, not everything went smoothly for the Dodgers. Brock Stewart, a trade deadline acquisition, gave up four unearned runs in 2⁄3 of an inning in a minor league game. And in the sixth inning of the game against the Giants, Patrick Bailey, the Giants' catcher, dropped a ball at the plate, potentially costing the Giants a run.
With the win, the Dodgers are now three games ahead of the San Diego Padres atop the NL West. The team will look to continue their strong play as they head into the final stretch of the regular season.
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