Tommy Edman Knocks in Three ‘Oil Fans’ to Help Dodgers Beat Cardinals
In a game marked by clutch hitting and curious fanfare, Tommy Edman drove in three runs to help the Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the St. Louis Cardinals 6-3 on Sunday afternoon. But it wasn’t just his performance at the plate that had people talking — it was his unexpected gesture toward a unique group of fans who had made the trip from Bakersfield’s oil country, waving signs and donning helmets that read “Edman Fuels Us.”
Edman, who grew up in nearby San Diego, has always appreciated the blue-collar spirit of Dodgers fans, but this particular group stood out. They were refinery workers and oil rig engineers who’d banded together under a shared love of baseball — and Edman in particular. Calling themselves the “Oil Fans,” they had been following Edman since his college days at Stanford.
In the bottom of the second inning, with the Dodgers trailing 1-0, Edman stepped up with two outs and runners on second and third. Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas threw a fastball down the middle, and Edman didn’t miss. He lined a double into the right-field gap, scoring both runners and igniting a wave of cheers from the unusually helmeted section in left-center field.
“It was surreal,” Edman said after the game. “I heard the chants, saw the helmets — at first I wasn’t sure what was going on. But then I realized those guys were holding signs with oil rigs and my name on them. That’s something you don’t forget.”
In the fifth, Edman added to his tally with a sacrifice fly that brought in Mookie Betts from third, giving the Dodgers a 4-2 lead they would not relinquish. His three RBIs were critical in helping the Dodgers regain control of a game that had started shakily, as Cardinals slugger Paul Goldschmidt had homered early to give St. Louis a brief lead.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Edman’s performance. “He’s one of those guys who does the little things right, and today he delivered in big moments. You can’t ask for more than that. And to have that fan support behind him — it was fun to watch.”
The bullpen held firm after starter James Paxton went five strong innings, allowing just two earned runs. Daniel Hudson and Alex Vesia combined for three shutout innings, and Evan Phillips closed it out in the ninth for his 13th save of the season.
As for the “Oil Fans,” they stayed long after the final out, chanting Edman’s name as he came back out to acknowledge them with a wave and a smile. It was a moment of connection — between player and fans, between hard work on the field and in the field.
“Baseball brings people together,” Edman said. “Whether you’re swinging a bat or working a drill, it’s all about showing up every day and giving it everything you’ve got.”
On this day, Edman did just that — and gave a few oil men a story they’ll be telling for a long time.
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