Dustin May delivered his strongest performance of the season, retiring the first 16 batters and leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 6-2 win over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday night. The victory completed a three-game sweep for Los Angeles at Dodger Stadium.
May, a 27-year-old right-hander, allowed two runs over a career-long seven innings, striking out a season-high nine while walking just one. The outing marked his first win since June 15 against the San Francisco Giants. He was in command throughout, mixing pitches effectively and facing the minimum number of batters through five and two-thirds innings before Brooks Baldwin broke up his perfect game bid with a single to right field in the sixth. Baldwin hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning, ending May’s night. May exited to a standing ovation from the home crowd after throwing 95 pitches.
The Dodgers entered the contest as solid favorites, with sportsbooks listing them at -210 on the moneyline, while the underdog White Sox opened at +175. The total runs over/under was set at 8.5.
Offensively, the Dodgers capitalized on key opportunities. Freddie Freeman contributed two hits, including a double, and drove in three runs while scoring once. His fifth-inning drive nearly left the park, but White Sox right fielder Mike Tauchman made a leaping catch to rob him of a home run. Mookie Betts added a solo homer in the seventh, ending a 21-game drought without a long ball. His blast off Tyler Gilbert extended the Dodgers’ lead to 6-0.
The White Sox, who now hold the worst road record in Major League Baseball, dropped to 9-35 away from home this season, a new franchise low for the start of a season on the road. The club struggled at the plate against May and the Dodgers’ bullpen, managing only four hits and failing to generate consistent scoring threats. Their two runs came solely from Baldwin’s home run, representing their first baserunner of the game.
Defensively, the Dodgers supported May with several notable plays. Michael Conforto made a sliding catch in left field to deny Miguel Vargas in the fifth inning, and Freeman snagged a sharp liner at first base to start the sixth. The Dodgers maintained control throughout, keeping the White Sox off the scoreboard until the eighth inning.
The sweep marked the second consecutive season Los Angeles has taken every game in a season series against Chicago. The Dodgers have now won 15 of their last 18 games and extended their lead in the National League West.
Looking ahead, the White Sox will begin a weekend series in Denver, with right-hander Adrian Houser (3-2, 1.90 ERA) slated to start Friday’s opener against the Rockies. The Dodgers will open a home series against the Houston Astros, with Ben Casparius (6-2, 3.97 ERA) set to take the mound opposite Lance McCullers Jr. (2-3, 4.13 ERA).