Will Smith made history Thursday, hitting a leadoff home run in his first time batting in the top spot this season, and the Los Angeles Dodgers held on for a 5-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants.
Smith went 1-for-3 with a solo home run and a walk in the win. It was the first time in his career he was inserted into the lineup as the Dodgers' leadoff hitter.
He wasted little time making the move look like a stroke of genius, hammering a ball over the outfield wall to lead off Los Angeles' half of the first inning.
Smith's eye at the plate and contact skills are befitting of a leadoff hitter, but he isn't likely to slot into that role often. Shohei Ohtani, who typically bats atop the order, was given a second straight day off from hitting Thursday as part of a plan to help him reset, but the two-way star is expected to be back in the lineup Friday versus the Angels.
Dodgers' Tanner Scott: Breezes to Fourth Save
Scott earned a save against the Giants on Thursday, striking out two batters in a perfect ninth inning.
Scott had a relatively low-stress assignment, as the Dodgers held a three-run lead when he entered in the ninth inning. The left-hander needed just nine pitches (seven strikes) to set down the side in order.
Scott struggled as the Dodgers' closer last season, which led to Los Angeles bringing in Edwin Diaz (elbow) via free agency. Diaz has since landed on the 60-day IL, and Scott has shined since retaking the closer role.
Over 10 outings in Diaz's absence, Scott has gone 4-for-4 on save opportunities while giving up just two runs and posting a 10:2 K:BB across 9.2 innings.
Dodgers' Emmet Sheehan: Notches Quality Start in Victory
Sheehan (3-1) earned the win over San Francisco on Thursday, allowing two runs on two hits and two walks while striking out six batters over six innings.