The Los Angeles Dodgers made a late rally but it wasn’t enough as they fell 5-4 to the San Francisco Giants in Sunday’s series finale at Dodger Stadium.
The Giants jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of first against Clayton Kershaw, punctuated by a two-run homer off the bat of Mauricio Dubón. As the 26-year-old crossed home plate, he seemingly mocked Trevor Bauer by doing his sword celebration.
Bauer performed the gesture after striking out Alex Dickerson during his start in San Francisco last week, drawing criticism from Giants broadcaster Mike Krukow, who implied the organization would not forget about it.
The 2020 National League Cy Young Award winner has since responded to Dubón’s sword-sheath attempt and clearly wasn’t impressed:
People out here covering an eye after hitting with two eyes open and swording the wrong pitcher y’all fools
— Trevor Bauer (トレバー・バウアー) (@BauerOutage) May 31, 2021
While nothing came of Dubón’s sword celebration, there was one minor incident between the Dodgers and Giants that took place in Thursday’s series opener. Max Muncy exchanged words with former teammate Alex Wood for being too quick with his delivery.
“That’s one of the things that’s part of Woody’s game. He’s very quick with his delivery. It helps make him very effective,” Muncy said after the game. “He’s got really good stuff and then he does that on top of it. I didn’t feel like I was ready at the plate, so I got time.
“It was just a little exchange. I don’t know if you saw me smile, but as I was talking to Curt, it was all almost just because it was Woody. Getting fired up just because it was him. It was kind of fun out there.”
Bauer comfortable being focal point of hostility
Although Bauer didn’t pitch against the Giants at Dodger Stadium, his start in San Francisco last week saw him throw 126 pitches, which was the most of any pitcher this season. He held them to one unearned run and finished with 11 strikeouts over 6.1 innings.
Bauer exited with a runner on second base and to a chorus of boos from Giants fans in attendance at Oracle Park. He responded by cupping his ear, raising his arms and encouraging the hostility as he walked to the dugout.
“They’re going to hate me anyway,” Bauer said after the Dodgers’ 2-1 win. “So might as well lean into it. I like when the crowd is into it. It makes the moment feel bigger, and I perform better in those moments. It just feeds me.”
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