Buster Posey and Wilmer Flores hit back-to-back homers in the first inning, Thairo Estrada had a key double in the seventh and the San Francisco Giants defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 7-2 in the opener of a pivotal four-game series between the NL West rivals. Posey had two hits and drove in two runs in his first game back after he missed two weeks due to a bruised left thumb.
Estrada — who is taking over at shortstop after All-Star Brandon Crawford was placed on the injured list due to a strained oblique — came through with a two-run double in the seventh inning as the Giants broke open a close game by scoring four times. Max Muncy and Justin Turner homered for Los Angeles, which was held to four hits. San Francisco pitchers had retired 11 straight Dodgers until AJ Pollock led off the ninth with a single.
With the win, the Giants expanded their lead to two games over the defending World Series champion Dodgers. San Francisco has been in first place since May 31. Posey didn’t waste any time making his presence felt. With one out in the first, he took advantage of a hanging slider from Tony Gonsolin (1-1) on a full count and ripped it into the stands in left field for a two-run shot and his 13th of the season.
