Dodgers lose 7th straight, 8-7 to Giants on July 12, 2025. Despite Shohei Ohtani's HR, Dustin May struggles. Can LA stop the longest skid since 2017?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It's a feeling Dodgers fans haven't experienced in a long, long time. The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped their seventh consecutive game on Saturday, a gut-wrenching 8-7 loss to the rival San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. The skid, now the longest since 2017, has turned a mid-season swoon into a full-blown crisis, leaving the team and its fanbase searching for answers.
The Dodgers' seven-game losing streak is their longest since 2017.
For a moment, it looked like the bleeding might stop. Shohei Ohtani launched his 32nd home run of the year, a majestic two-run shot into McCovey Cove, to give the Dodgers a brief lead in the third inning. But the good vibes were short-lived. Starter Dustin May couldn't hold the line, getting tagged for seven earned runs in just 4 2/3 innings, a disastrous outing that saw his record fall to 5-6. The Giants blew the game open with a five-run fifth, fueled by a two-run triple from Willy Adames and three RBIs from Jung Hoo Lee. Despite a late push, a game-ending double play off the bat of Will Smith sealed the Dodgers' fate, handing Camilo Doval his 15th save and LA another painful 'L'.
Even in defeat, Shohei Ohtani remains a beacon of hope. While his bat provided one of the day's few highlights, all eyes now turn to his arm. Ohtani (0-1, 1.50 ERA) is slated to take the mound in Sunday's series finale against Giants righty Landen Roupp. It's the ultimate 'put the team on your back' moment for the two-way superstar, who also leads the club in batting average (.278), homers (32), and RBIs (60). Can the man who does it all be the one to finally stop the slide? The weight of a seven-game losing streak now rests squarely on his shoulders.
While the major league club struggles, the future of the organization was on full display. Top outfield prospects Josue De Paula and Zyhir Hope were officially selected for the 2025 All-Star Futures Game in Atlanta, a testament to the continued strength of the Dodgers' farm system. De Paula, the team's No. 1 prospect, is seen as a cornerstone piece. This focus on the future extends to the upcoming MLB Draft, which begins tomorrow. With their first pick at No. 40, the Dodgers are expected to continue their successful strategy of stockpiling high-upside pitching arms, ensuring the talent pipeline remains full for years to come. It's a crucial reminder that even during the toughest stretches, the front office is always building for sustained success.
The present is painful, there's no denying it. But tomorrow is another day, and it brings a chance for redemption. All of Los Angeles will be holding its breath as Shohei Ohtani takes the hill, hoping he can single-handedly rewrite the narrative of this road trip. And with the draft beginning and two top prospects shining, fans have every reason to believe that brighter days are ahead, even if they feel distant right now. First thing's first: just win one.
