Robbie Ray made his highly-anticipated return to the mound on Wednesday night after being sidelined for over a year. Despite his no-hitter bid falling short, Ray played a crucial role in leading the San Francisco Giants to an impressive 8-3 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. In his five innings of play, Ray managed to strike out eight batters and, impressively, did not allow a single hit after a rocky start in the first inning.
Ray’s stellar performance marked the longest no-hit bid by a Giants starter in his debut with the team since 1960, according to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs. The 32-year-old pitcher joined the Giants earlier this year following a trade from the Seattle Mariners, who had traded the 2021 Cy Young winner following his Tommy John surgery last May. Despite a shaky start in the first inning, where Ray struggled with control and allowed a run, he quickly found his rhythm and dominated the Dodgers for the rest of the game.
After Ray’s departure in the fifth inning, the Giants continued their impressive display by putting up six runs in the eighth inning, securing a comfortable lead over the Dodgers. Though the Dodgers managed to score a couple of runs later in the game, it was not enough to overcome the Giants’ lead. The victory marked only the Giants’ second win in their last six games, bringing their season record to 49-54.
On the other hand, the loss dropped the Dodgers to a 61-42 record for the season, ending their five-game win streak. Despite the setback, the Dodgers still maintain a strong position in the NL West division. Chris Taylor’s double in the seventh inning ended Ray’s no-hit bid, but the Giants’ solid performance on both offense and defense secured their well-deserved win.
Overall, Ray’s impressive return to the mound and the Giants’ dominant performance showcased their resilience and determination to succeed in the competitive MLB season.