Webb's gem powers Giants past Dodgers in Game 1 of NLDS
Logan Webb left quite the mark in his postseason debut.
Webb twirled a masterpiece over 7 2/3 innings in front of a raucous crowd at Oracle Park, striking out 10 batters on just five hits to lift the San Francisco Giants to a 4-0 win over the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants now hold a 1-0 lead in their best-of-five NLDS.
The 24-year-old left the Dodgers' powerful offense shaking their collective heads on Friday. Webb didn't walk a batter during his 92-pitch outing, only reached a three-ball count once, and induced 11 ground-ball outs to just one fly out.
Longest AB by any #Dodgers hitter vs Logan Webb tonight was AJ Pollock-6 pitches, twice (3rd and 8th inning). Pollock 0-3 tonight 2 K's. #NLDS
— David Vassegh (@THEREAL_DV) October 9, 2021
The right-hander is the fourth pitcher in playoff history to record at least 10 strikeouts with no walks in his debut playoff start, joining Deacon Phillippe - who did it in the first-ever World Series game in 1903 - Don Newcombe, and Jake Arrieta, according to MLB.com's Sarah Langs.
For some historical context here: What Logan Webb did tonight for the Giants was awfully rare and awfully special. In postseason history, only 30 times has a pitcher gone 7.2+, allowed 5 or fewer hits, 0 runs and struck out at least 10. Look at the names. An absolute who’s who. pic.twitter.com/bYAqZNIJX6
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) October 9, 2021
"Logan was the star of the day," Giants outfielder Kris Bryant said postgame, according to the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser. "I'm so impressed with him. "His first playoff experience, and he's out there pretending like it's a game in his backyard."
Webb got all the offense he needed from catcher Buster Posey, who ripped a two-run homer off Los Angeles starter Walker Buehler in the first inning. Bryant and Brandon Crawford homered later to add some insurance.
Buehler held his own for the Dodgers, surrendering six hits while striking out five and walking one over 6 1/3 innings. However, he couldn't hold down San Francisco's offense and left shortly after giving up Bryant's homer.
Tyler Rogers retired one batter in the eighth after relieving Webb, while rookie flamethrower Camilo Doval pitched a clean ninth to clinch the victory for the Giants.