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From left, the Dodgers’ Will Smith, Justin Turner, Craig Kimbrel and Freddie Freeman celebrate after their 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner throws to first after fielding a ground ball hit by the San Francisco Giants’ Austin Slater during the first inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts is unable to hang on to a fly ball hit by the San Francisco Giants’ Mauricio Dubon during the first inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Carlos Rodon throws to the plate during their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws to the plate during their game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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San Francisco starting pitcher Carlos Rodon looks at his hand after throwing a wild pitch during the second inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The Dodgers’ Chris Taylor connects for a two-run single during the second inning of their game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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The Dodgers’ Chris Taylor, right, connects for a two-run single off of San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Carlos Rodon, left, during the second inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Dodgers’ Max Muncy, left, greets Cody Bellinger at home plate after they both scored on a single by Chris Taylor during the second inning of their game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy, center, and Cody Bellinger, right, congratulate each other after they scored on a single by Chris Taylor as Hanser Alberto celebrates during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants Tuesday, May 3, 2022, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger is congratulated in the dugout after scoring on a two-run single by Chris Taylor during the second inning of their game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The Dodgers’ Max Muncy is congratulated in the dugout after scoring on a two-run single by Chris Taylor during the second inning of their game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Dodgers left fielder Chris Taylor slides but can’t make the play on a ball hit by the San Francisco Giants’ Austin Slater during the third inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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San Francisco starting pitcher Carlos Rodon throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Dodgers center fielder Cody Bellinger makes a running catch on a ball hit by the San Francisco Giants’ Mauricio Dubon during the sixth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias reacts after the final out of the sixth inning of their game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. Urias pitched six scoreless innings in a 3-1 win. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias reacts after the final out of the sixth inning of their game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. Urias pitched six scoreless innings in a 3-1 win. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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San Francisco Giants right fielder Austin Slater makes a catch on a ball hit by the Dodgers’ Will Smith during the sixth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The San Francisco Giants’ Wilmer Flores breaks his bat as he hits a single during the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The San Francisco Giants’ Wilmer Flores, right, breaks his bat as he hits a single during the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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San Francisco Giants pinch-hitter Luis Gonzalez drives in a run with a sacrifice fly during the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The San Francisco Giants’ Wilmer Flores scores on a sacrifice fly by Luis Gonzales during the seventh inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers relief pitcher Alex Vesia celebrates after striking out the San Francisco Giants’ Luke Williams for the final out of the seventh inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The San Francisco Giants’ Joc Pederson wipes his head as he bats during the eighth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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San Francisco Giants pinch-hitter (and former Dodger) Joc Pederson prepares to hit during the eighth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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In his first game at Dodger stadium as a member of the San Francisco Giants, former Dodger Joc Pederson walks back to the dugout after striking out swinging on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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In his first game at Dodger stadium as a member of the San Francisco Giants, former Dodger Joc Pederson walks back to the dugout after striking out swinging on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Fans react after San Francisco Giants pinch-hitter (and former Dodger) Joc Pederson struck out during the eighth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The Dodgers’ Hanser Alberto scores on a wild pitch in front of San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Jose Alvarez during the eighth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel fields a bunt by the San Francisco Giants’ Luis Gonzalez during the ninth inning on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel prepars to throw to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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The Dodgers’ Hanser Alberto takes the throw to force out the San Francisco Giants’ Luis Gonzalez at second base for the final out of the game on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers won, 3-1. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel pumps his fist after the final out of their 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Dodgers catcher Will Smith, left, congratulates relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel after the final out of their 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers catcher Will Smith, right, congratulates relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel after the final out of their 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Dodger and Giants fans, with appropriate hair color, enjoy the game between the longtime rivals on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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From left, Rams running back Cam Akers, safety Nick Scott, holding the Vince Lombardi trophy, and receiver Cooper Kupp get on the microphone prior to the Dodgers’ game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Rams safety Nick Scott, right, holds up the Vince Lombardi Trophy for fans as running back Cam Akers stands by as members of the Rams visited prior to the Dodgers’ game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp throws out the ceremonial first pitch prior to the Dodgers’ game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Rams running back Cam Akers, left, and safety Nick Scott, right, pose behind the the Vince Lombardi Trophy with tennis great Billie Jean King as members of the Rams visited prior to the Dodgers’ game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Rams running back Cam Akers looks at his reflection on the Vince Lombardi Trophy as members of the Rams visited prior to the Dodgers’ game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Rams safety Nick Scott, left, and running back Cam Akers take pictures of each other with the Vince Lombardi Trophy as several members of the team visited prior to the Dodgers’ game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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Former Dodger Joc Pederson, now a member of the San Francisco Giants, seen before their game on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Former Dodger Joc Pederson, now a member of the San Francisco Giants, seen before their game on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by David Crane, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
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Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes swings a bat during batting practice ahead of their game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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The Dodgers’ Chris Taylor watches batting practice ahead of their game against the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Fans of the San Francisco Giants and Dodgers arrive for ahead of the game on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES — Buckle up. The ride is starting again.
Ancient hostilities – heightened by last summer’s high-speed division chase and last fall’s playoff skirmish – resumed Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium as the Dodgers and reigning NL West division champion San Francisco Giants met for the first time in 2022.
The two teams entered this week’s mini-clash (two games) separated by just a half-game in the standings – shades of the ‘Anything-you-can-do-we-can-do-too’ lockstep of last August and September. They also entered as the two highest-scoring teams in baseball (by runs per game).
There was little evidence of that Tuesday.
Dodgers starter Julio Urias held the Giants scoreless for six innings while Giants starter Carlos Rodon allowed just three hits over his six. One of those hits, though, was a two-out, two-run single by Chris Taylor in the second inning and the Dodgers held on for a 3-1 victory.
“I’m expecting 18 more good games,” Taylor said of the divisional matchup. “Every time we step on the field with them, it seems like it goes down to the last out.
“It’s exciting to play in his rivalry.”
And a little repetitive lately. Twelve of their past 25 meetings over the past year (including last year’s National League Division Series) have been decided by no more than two runs.
“It did. It did,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said when asked if Tuesday felt like a continuation of last year’s battles. “They do a really good job of matching up. They exploit every weakness.”
Urias showed none. He was unruffled by a Giants lineup depleted by assorted injuries (and COVID-19). He breezed through his six scoreless innings on just 65 pitches, allowing four hits and striking out four. Only 13 of Urias’ 65 pitches were called balls and the Giants had just one at-bat with a runner in scoring position against him.
Rodon was complicit in the Dodgers’ first scoring rally. Max Muncy worked him for a walk with one out in the second. After Justin Turner struck out (part of an 0-for-14 slide the veteran is mired in), Rodon also walked Cody Bellinger. A wild pitch moved the runners into scoring position and Taylor drove them both in when he shot a 1-and-2 fastball into right-center field for a line-drive single.
“He’s obviously got electric stuff and he comes right at you,” Taylor said. “I was just going up there trying to be ready to hit and hope for a mistake. I was not trying to get too big or do too much because he’s got a good heater and the slider off of that. I was trying to keep it simple and put a ball in play.”
At least three Dodger fly balls each left the bat at 95 mph or higher only to die on the warning track in the middle innings (one each by Bellinger, Muncy and Will Smith) – they must have been using the balls from the back of the humidor.
One-out doubles by Taylor (in the fifth) and Trea Turner (in the sixth) were the Dodgers’ only other hits off Rodon after Taylor’s two-run single. Both were stranded, leaving the two-run lead when Roberts elected to pull Urias despite his low pitch count rather than allow him to go through the Giants’ lineup a third time.
“I thought the stuff was good, but I thought they were taking some good swings off him,” Roberts said. “There was some hard contact (in Urias’ last two innings). I felt that part of the lineup again – give them a different look.”
Brusdar Graterol replaced Urias and the Giants promptly cut the lead in half.
Graterol broke Wilmer Flores’ bat with a pitch, but the ground ball that resulted dribbled slow enough to Justin Turner at third base that Flores was able to beat it out for a single and then go to second when Turner’s throw up the line wasn’t handled by Freddie Freeman. Flores moved to third on a ground out then scored on a sacrifice fly.
Daniel Hudson protected the one-run lead in the top of the eighth and the Dodgers made closer Craig Kimbrel’s job easier by adding to it in the bottom of the inning. Hanser Alberto led off with a double and eventually scored on a wild pitch by lefty reliever Jose Alvarez. The Giants put the tying runs on base against Kimbrel before he closed it out.
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