Josue De Paula Delivers Go-Ahead Double as Dodgers Beat Giants, 8-2
Josue De Paula’s first game at Dodger Stadium already has a signature moment.
De Paula delivered a two-out RBI double in the sixth inning to put the Dodgers ahead for good before Los Angeles erupted for four home runs in the eighth, turning a close game into an 8-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Friday night.
Mookie Betts homered twice, Tyler Glasnow struck out 10 over six innings and Edwin Díaz worked a scoreless ninth in his return from the injured list.
One night after clinching the National League West in Cincinnati, the Dodgers opened their final regular-season homestand by improving to 94-60.
De Paula Comes Through in His Dodger Stadium Debut
De Paula did much more than drive in the deciding run.
The 21-year-old finished 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, one RBI and two runs scored while playing an important part in three of the Dodgers’ scoring innings.
With Los Angeles trailing 2-1 in the fifth, De Paula opened the inning with a single to right. Betts followed with another single, and De Paula advanced to third on a Will Smith fly ball before scoring the tying run on Teoscar Hernández’s RBI single.
An inning later, De Paula came to the plate with Kyle Tucker at first, two outs and the game still tied.
He lined a double into right field, allowing Tucker to score all the way from first and giving the Dodgers a 3-2 lead.
De Paula raised both arms after reaching second as the Dodger Stadium crowd celebrated the biggest hit of his young Major League career.
He contributed once more in the eighth, drawing a two-out walk before scoring on Betts’ second home run of the night.
A week after making the jump directly from Double-A, De Paula continues to look comfortable in the middle of a pennant race. Friday’s performance was another encouraging example of the confidence and energy he has brought to the Dodgers since his promotion.
Glasnow Responds With 10 Strikeouts
Glasnow entered Friday needing a stronger performance after allowing eight runs and seven walks across his previous two starts.
He gave the Dodgers exactly that.
Betts provided an immediate lead with a solo home run in the bottom of the first, but Jung Hoo Lee tied the game with a solo shot in the second. San Francisco moved ahead in the third when Scott Bandura singled, stole second and scored on Jonah Cox’s RBI single.
Glasnow did not allow the Giants to add anything else.
He completed six innings while allowing two earned runs on three hits and two walks. His 10 strikeouts represented a sharp improvement in both command and execution after his recent struggles.
San Francisco threatened to break the 2-2 tie in the sixth after Turner Hill walked and advanced to third. Glasnow escaped by freezing Shay Whitcomb for his 10th strikeout, ending his night and keeping the game even.
De Paula’s double in the bottom half of the inning then put Glasnow in position to earn the victory.
With the postseason approaching, the Dodgers needed to see Glasnow regain control of the strike zone and generate swings and misses. Friday’s outing was a significant step in that direction.
Dodgers Launch Four Home Runs in the Eighth
The Dodgers carried a narrow 3-2 lead into the eighth before the lineup overwhelmed Giants reliever Philip Abner.
Max Muncy opened the inning with his 29th home run of the season. Tucker immediately followed with his 17th, giving the Dodgers back-to-back home runs and a 5-2 advantage.
The Giants retired the next two hitters, but the inning was far from over.
De Paula drew a walk after successfully challenging the first pitch through the automated ball-strike system. Betts then launched a two-run homer to left-center for his second home run of the game and No. 22 on the season.
Smith followed with a solo shot to center, giving the Dodgers their second set of back-to-back home runs in the inning.
Los Angeles scored five times in the eighth while hitting four home runs. Combined with Betts’ leadoff shot in the first, the Dodgers finished the night with five homers.
Betts reached base four times, going 3-for-4 with two home runs, a walk and three RBIs.
Díaz Opens His Latest Opportunity With a Scoreless Inning
Kris Bubic and Tanner Scott each provided a scoreless inning after Glasnow departed, allowing the Dodgers to carry a six-run lead into the ninth.
That created the type of lower-leverage opportunity the Dodgers wanted for Díaz after activating him from the injured list earlier Friday.
Díaz allowed a two-out single to Andrew Knizner but struck out Grant McCray and Brett Harris during a scoreless inning. He finished the game with two strikeouts while allowing one hit.
Díaz still has work to do to secure a place in the Dodgers’ postseason bullpen following an uneven rehabilitation assignment. One scoreless inning does not settle that competition, but Friday was an encouraging first step in his latest opportunity.
Dodgers Carry Momentum Into Rest of Giants Series
The division has already been secured, but the remaining games still matter.
Glasnow is trying to establish himself as a dependable October starter. Díaz is attempting to earn a postseason bullpen role. De Paula is showing how much his bat could potentially contribute during the final weeks.
All three gave the Dodgers something positive Friday night.
The Dodgers will continue the series Saturday with Tarik Skubal scheduled to make his final regular-season start at Dodger Stadium.