SAN FRANCISCO, CA — The Los Angeles Dodgers faced a tough defeat against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park, with the final score standing at 10-4 in favor of the Giants. The game was particularly challenging for Dodgers’ pitcher James Paxton, who gave up nine earned runs and 12 hits across four innings, marking a difficult day on the mound for him. Paxton, known for his fastball, was hit hard by the Giants, who managed to send ten of his pitches soaring with exit velocities surpassing 100 mph.

On the opposite end, Giants’ rookie Spencer Bivens made a remarkable first MLB start by pitching five innings, during which he allowed only a single run on four hits. Bivens, who spent last year in independent-league baseball, showcased his mettle by striking out Dodgers’ sensation Shohei Ohtani twice, contributing significantly to the Giants’ victory.

The Giants established their dominance early on, scoring consistently in the first four innings and amassing a substantial 9-0 lead by the end of the fourth. This early surge prompted Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts to consider his bullpen options, ultimately deciding to pull Paxton off the mound to prevent further damage.

Despite some late attempts at a comeback, highlighted by Chris Taylor’s solo home run and RBI double, along with Austin Barnes’s two-run double in the ninth, the Dodgers were unable to close the gap. Taylor’s performance was a silver lining for the Dodgers, who have been seeking stability at third base due to Max Muncy’s absence. Manager Dave Roberts has expressed his intention to give Taylor more playtime, appreciating his improved batting and reduced rate of missed swings.

Reflecting on the game, the standout performance by Bivens and the Giants’ aggressive batting overshadowed the Dodgers’ pitching woes, underscoring a challenging day for Paxton. With a July record of 16-10, closely mirroring their May performance, the Dodgers are looking to build momentum as they head into a competitive schedule before the All-Star break, with key matchups against the Brewers and the Phillies on the horizon. As the team anticipates reinforcements, the hope is to bolster their lineup and pitching staff in the ensuing weeks, aiming for a strong finish to the first half of the season.