Full Breakdown
Dodgers Edge Giants 5-2 in Series Finale, Regaining NL West Lead
5/16/2026, 12:47:22 AM
Dodgers Edge Giants 5-2 in Series Finale
On Thursday, May 14, 2026, the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Francisco Giants 5–2 at Dodger Stadium. Shohei Ohtani, the team’s designated hitter, was rested for a second straight night. The win moved the Dodgers to 26-18, reclaiming sole possession of first place in the National League West.
Background: Offensive Struggles and Ohtani Rest
The Dodgers entered the game amid an offensive slump that had prompted manager Dave Roberts to give Ohtani a second consecutive day off. This was the fourth time this season Ohtani did not appear as DH, a pattern that had coincided with the club scoring only one run in each of the two prior games without him.
Key Players and Performances
- Will Smith – leadoff hitter; recorded his first career leadoff home run.
- Alex Call – pinch-hitter; delivered a two-run single in the sixth inning.
- Emmet Sheehan – starter; allowed two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out six over six innings.
- Jung Hoo Lee – Giants outfielder; hit an inside-the-park two-run homer, the first by a Giant at Dodger Stadium.
- Teoscar Hernández – misplayed Lee’s ball, leading to the inside-the-park homer.
- Miguel Rojas – drove in Call with an RBI single and expressed frustration after the misplay.
Game Statistics
- Final score: Dodgers 5, Giants 2.
- Dodgers record: 26-18; Giants record: 18-26.
- Sheehan’s line: 6 IP, 2 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 6 K; season ERA 4.54, WHIP 1.25.
- Smith’s leadoff homer: first of his career.
- Call’s pinch-hit single: broke a 2-2 tie in the sixth.
- Lee’s inside-the-park homer: first at Dodger Stadium since 2018 and first by a Giant against the Dodgers since 1981.
Official Statements & Responses
Roberts praised the team’s resilience, noting that the offense was “getting there” despite the lineup adjustments. He highlighted Sheehan’s “best outing in totality,” emphasizing improved command of his fastball and slider. Sheehan, after the game, encouraged a struggling teammate, saying the pitcher “was frustrated obviously with that at-bat” but that the staff remained confident in his progress.
Criticism & Opposition
Miguel Rojas slammed his helmet after the inside-the-park homer, reflecting the “compounded mistakes” that nearly cost the Dodgers. Dalton Rushing also displayed visible frustration after striking out, breaking his bat in the dugout.
On-the-Ground Reports
Lee’s ball slipped past Hernández, bounced off the left-field wall, and rolled to the corner. Hernández’s relay throw rose over catcher Rushing’s head, allowing Lee to score. The crowd erupted as the Giants tied the game, but the Dodgers responded with Call’s pinch-hit single and Rojas’s RBI, restoring a three-run lead.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Pre-game records for the Giants differ among sources (17-24 vs. 16-24), though the post-game record of 18-26 is consistent. No other factual discrepancies appear in the coverage.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It felt like I hit it.” — Alex Call, pinch-hitter
- “Getting there. Getting there,” — Dave Roberts, manager
- “He was frustrated obviously with that at-bat,” — Emmet Sheehan, pitcher
- “It’s one of those that, you’re far from the ball, you don’t know what the ball is going to bounce,” — Teoscar Hernández, right fielder
- “It seems like every time he’s been going out there, he’s getting better. And today was his best outing in totality,” — Dave Roberts, manager
What’s Next
The Dodgers travel to Anaheim to open a weekend series against the Los Angeles Angels, while the Giants head to West Sacramento for a series against the Oakland Athletics. Both clubs aim to build momentum as the NL West race tightens.
