West Wood blvd – 13 May 2026 | The sf giants game today delivered a decisive 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers, highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Harrison Bader and Eric Haase and a controversial lineup shuffle that saw veteran third baseman Matt Chapman benched for rookie Bryce Eldridge.
In the third inning, Eric Haase broke a long home run drought with a solo shot, his first since May 7, 2025. The momentum shifted in the fifth when Bader, down to two strikes, launched a go‑ahead homer that tied the game, only for Haase to follow with another blast that put the Giants ahead 3-2. Those two homers marked the first time Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto had surrendered three homers in a single outing, all coming from the lower part of the Giants’ lineup.
San Francisco’s starter Adrian Houser worked 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out four and issuing three walks, earning his first career win against Los Angeles. Reliever Caleb Kilian closed the game with a 1 1/3‑inning save, preserving the lead as the Dodgers struggled to generate offense, scoring only two runs on four hits.
Los Angeles’ star Shohei Ohtani managed an opposite‑field solo homer, ending an 11‑game homerless streak, but his overall performance remained muted. He finished 2‑for‑4 with two runs, an RBI and a walk, while the rest of the Dodgers went 2‑for‑25 with four walks. In response to his slump, manager Dave Roberts announced Ohtani would sit out the designated‑hitter role for the next two games, giving him a brief respite from the batter’s box.
Beyond the on‑field action, the sf giants game today sparked debate over the team’s roster strategy. Earlier in the week, the Giants benched longtime third‑base stalwart Matt Chapman, who has struggled offensively with a .229 average over his last ten games, to make room for top prospect Bryce Eldridge. Eldridge, a 20‑year‑old left‑handed power hitter, was slated to start at first base and bat seventh, pushing Rafael Devers to the DH spot. The move ignited criticism from analysts who questioned the logic of starting a player with limited major‑league experience at first base while the team’s offense remains the league’s weakest.
Critics, including former player and commentator Kurtenbach, argued that Eldridge’s omission from the lineup against right‑handed starter Roki Sasaki in the previous game was baffling, especially given the Giants’ need for a spark. The organization defended the decision as a long‑term investment, noting Eldridge’s impressive strikeout rate improvements in Triple‑A Sacramento.
Key statistics from the sf giants game today illustrate the team’s resurgence:
- Giants: 6 runs, 9 hits, 2 errors
- Dodgers: 2 runs, 7 hits, 1 error
- Winning pitcher: Adrian Houser (1‑4, 3.24 ERA)
- Saves: Caleb Kilian (2)
- Home runs: Bader (2nd of season), Haase (2nd of season), Ohtani (Dodgers)
The victory marks the Giants’ fourth win in five games and their first three‑game winning streak since mid‑April, signaling a potential shift in the NL West race. Meanwhile, the Dodgers, now 24‑18, remain half a game behind the division‑leading San Diego Padres, despite their recent slump.
Looking ahead, the Giants aim to maintain momentum as they prepare for a weekend series against the Colorado Rockies, while the Dodgers will seek to rebound with a revamped lineup that may see Ohtani return to the DH role later in the week.
In summary, the sf giants game today not only showcased clutch hitting and solid pitching but also highlighted strategic decisions that could shape the remainder of the season for both clubs.