This archive report was first published on 15 October 2021.
October 15, 2021, marked a historic day in the world of baseball as the Los Angeles Dodgers edged out the San Francisco Giants 2-1 in Game 5 of their division series.
With both teams boasting impressive records, the game was a closely contested affair that came down to the final inning. It was then that Cody Bellinger, a former Most Valuable Player Award winner, delivered a crucial single into right field, scoring Justin Turner from second and securing the win for the Dodgers.
Max Scherzer, who joined the Dodgers in July, made a crucial contribution to the team's victory by earning a save in the bottom of the ninth inning. This marked the first save of his major league career.
The game's pitching matchup between Logan Webb of the Giants and Julio Urias of the Dodgers was highly anticipated, but it got off to an unusual start when Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts opted to begin the game with Corey Knebel as an opener.
Despite this unconventional approach, the game ultimately came down to a showdown between Webb and Urias. Webb threw seven strong innings, allowing just one run, while Urias pitched four innings in relief, also allowing one run. However, it was Camilo Doval, the Giants' 24-year-old closer, who ultimately allowed the decisive run.
This postseason matchup between the Dodgers and Giants marked the first time the two teams had faced each other since 1889, when the Dodgers were still based in Brooklyn and the Giants were based in Manhattan. The Giants emerged victorious in that series, winning six games to three.
The National League Championship Series is set to begin on Saturday in Atlanta, with the Dodgers looking to make a strong impression.
