Patrick Bailey delivered one of the season’s most dramatic moments for the San Francisco Giants, hitting a game-ending grand slam in the 10th inning to secure a 5-1 victory over the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night at Oracle Park. The win helped San Francisco tighten its pursuit of the final National League wild-card spot while ending Los Angeles’ four-game winning streak.
Oddsmakers favored the Dodgers at -135 entering the matchup, while the Giants were listed as +115 underdogs. The run total was set at 8.5, which remained well under until Bailey’s decisive swing pushed the game total to six runs.
The decisive moment came with one out in the 10th. Facing reliever Tanner Scott, Bailey turned on a 1-0 pitch and drove it into the left-field stands. His teammates poured out of the dugout to greet him at home plate, dousing him with water in celebration as the Oracle Park crowd erupted. It marked Bailey’s first career walk-off grand slam and gave San Francisco a crucial boost in the standings.
Joel Peguero earned the win after pitching a scoreless 10th inning, improving to 2-0. The Giants have won eight of their last 11 games and moved within a half-game of the New York Mets for the third and final National League wild-card position. New York’s loss to Texas earlier in the evening opened the door for San Francisco to make up ground.
The game nearly ended in the ninth inning when the Giants put runners in scoring position. Pinch-hitter Luis Matos reached on a throwing error by Mookie Betts, and Rafael Devers followed with a single. After reliever Blake Treinen intentionally walked Willy Adames to load the bases, Wilmer Flores lifted a deep fly to center. Andy Pages made the catch and fired home a 92.9 mph throw to Ben Rortvedt, who tagged Grant McCray for an inning-ending double play.
McCray made a defensive contribution of his own at the top of the 10th, recording an outfield assist with a 101.7 mph throw to third base for another double play, keeping the game tied. That set the stage for Bailey’s decisive at-bat in the bottom half.
Los Angeles had scored in the seventh inning when Michael Conforto, facing his former club, hit a solo home run to even the contest. The Dodgers had chances earlier but could not break through against the Giants’ pitching. Veteran starter Justin Verlander, making his 552nd career start and marking 20 years of service time in the majors, left with a no-decision.
The Dodgers challenged a close play at first base in the fourth inning when Matt Chapman fielded a grounder and Dominic Smith stretched to complete the out. The ruling was upheld on review, though Smith injured his inner thigh on the play and exited the game.
Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts each extended their on-base streaks to 17 games. Betts has now reached safely in 31 of his last 33 contests.
The series continues Saturday with left-hander Clayton Kershaw (10-2, 3.27 ERA) scheduled to start for Los Angeles against San Francisco right-hander Logan Webb (14-9, 3.12 ERA).