Dodgers go quietly in Vin Scully’s final game

On a day filled with wonderful tributes both at the park and on television for the final day of Vin Scully’s illustrious career, the Dodgers couldn’t match the good tidings on the field. Buoyed by early runs, the Giants cruised to an easy 7-1 win over the Dodgers.

While the Dodgers limp home with five losses in their final six regular season games, the Giants’ sweep was enough to clinch a wild card berth for San Francisco, who will play the Mets on Wednesday night in New York in the National League Wild Card Game.

Kenta Maeda was anything but sharp in his regular season finale, allowing two runs in the first inning then three more in the second. In all, Maeda allowed nine hits and couldn’t escape the third inning.

Buster Posey had three hits and three RBI for San Francisco, and Denard Span had a two-run triple among his two hits. Third baseman Conor Gillaspie had a hit and a walk, and also one of the great defensive plays of the season when he tumbled over the railing into the Giants dugout to catch Chase Utley’s foul pop up.

After Maeda, the Dodgers used six more pitchers, all getting work in on the final day of the regular season, with four off days looming before the NLDS. A total of 15 position players found playing time on Sunday, too.

The Dodgers had their best look at the game in the fourth inning, when Joc Pederson drove a ball about 396 feet to center field, a couple ticks shy of a three-run home run that would have pulled the Dodgers to within one run. Instead, the ball saw its way into Span’s glove for the final out of the inning.

Matt Moore retired his next 13 batters faced, and completed eight innings for the win.

The last batter of Scully’s broadcasting career was Rob Segedin, who flew out.

But despite the loss, it was a glorious day to hear Scully tell stories one final time. We’ll all miss him, probably even more than we could have imagined.

Up next

Unlike the Cardinals, the Dodgers still have games remaining to play, starting Friday in Washington against the Nationals in the NLDS. But first, a workout at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday before heading east.

Sunday particulars

Home runs: none

WP - Matt Moore (13-12): 8 IP, 3 hits, 1 run, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts

LP - Kenta Maeda (16-11): 2⅔ IP, 9 hits, 5 runs, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts