Los Angeles – The Dodgers reclaimed first place in the NL West Tuesday night with a big-time 5-4 win over the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Freddie Freeman busted out in a big way, hitting two home runs, and the bullpen was badass…again.
The Dodgers are now 30-19 and back in first place by 1/2 game, after scoring the winning run off the best closer in the game, Mason Miller. Shohei Ohtani, the best pitcher in baseball, will toe the rubber tonight to try to give the Dodgers the series victory.
Dodgers Strike Early Behind Freeman
The Dodgers wasted no time putting pressure on Padres starter Griffin Canning.
Shohei Ohtani opened the game with a leadoff double into left field, his 11th double of the season. Mookie Betts “got him over’ to third on a ground ball up the middle and was only out because Fernando Tatis Jr. made a ridiculous play, then Freeman hit one of his vintage opposite field home runs to give the Dodgers a 2-0 lead.
That home run was Freeman’s fifth home run of the season and was much-needed because the future Hall of Famer had been “going through it” recently. Entering Tuesday night, Freeman was batting just .111 over his previous five games. While Freeman was surely happy about his breakout game, he gave credit to the entire team.
“Tonight was a group effort.”
Emmet Sheehan did not have his best outing of the season and was not happy with his performance.
He went four innings, allowed four runs on five hits while striking out two and walking one across 67 pitches.
The biggest issue was the command that led to the two home runs. Machado and Andújar both got to him on long balls, both after Sheehan had fallen behind in the count.
Sheehan did generate weak contact at times and limited further damage after the third inning. He also retired six of the final eight hitters he faced, so that was a positive.
Sheehan’s season ERA moved up to 4.93 through nine starts.
Dodgers Chip Away Against Padres Pitching
The Dodgers began to wear down Canning as the game progressed.
In the fifth inning, Teoscar Hernández ripped a leadoff double into left field. Hyeseong Kim moved him to third with a groundout, and Ohtani brought Teo home with an RBI groundout to trim the deficit to 4-3.
Then came Freeman again.
Leading off the sixth against reliever Jeremiah Estrada, Freeman crushed another solo homer, this time to right-center field, tying the game at 4-4. Freeman finished 2-for-4 with two home runs, three RBIs, and eight total bases. That’s a sight for sore eyes.
Freeman raised his slash line to .260/.342/.435 with six home runs and 23 RBIs. Not what we’re used to seeing from Freddie, but he’s grinding, and remember, there’s always a beginning, middle, and end to every season, so stay tuned.
Shohei Ohtani continues to play good offense and went 2-for-3 with two doubles, a walk, and an RBI. Over his last five games, Ohtani is hitting .526 with a 1.467 OPS.
Teoscar Hernández also continued his strong week despite striking out three times, finishing 1-for-4 with a double. Teo is hitting .348 with a 1.009 OPS over the last seven days.
Betts and Will Smith combined to go 0-for-8, and add in Tucker, and that’s 0-12, so while the Dodgers won this game, it will be hard for this team to be consistent if those 2/3 don’t get going. Mainly Smith and Betts, because Tucker has been good recently.
How the Dodgers Beat Griffin Canning
While Canning struck out five over five innings, the Dodgers attacked him differently than they had in recent games against Padres pitching.
Instead of being super patient, they went into ambush mode. The Dodgers swung at the first 16 strikes they saw, and didn’t take a strike until Teos at bat in the 2nd inning.
Though Los Angeles went just 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position, the lineup limited strikeouts in key moments and, while being aggressive early, also was able to create a handful of deep counts too. But what they did best was swing at the strikes, very aggressively, then take the balls. The swing decisions were on point, especially early in the game.
The Dodgers also benefited from improved situational hitting. Ohtani’s RBI groundout and Andy Pages’ ninth-inning sacrifice fly ultimately is what won them the game, to go with the big blows of Freeman.
Bullpen Slams the Door
After Sheehan exited, the Dodgers bullpen turned in one of its strongest collective efforts of the season. And, that’s sayin’ something because the bullpen has been good.
Edgardo Henriquez threw 1.1 scoreless innings, and his not allowed any runs over his last 3.1 innings and lowered his ERA to 3.44.
Alex Vesia retired both hitters he faced and lowered his ERA to 2.65, while Blake Treinen, who has been up and down, worked through traffic in the seventh before Tanner Scott worked through traffic by getting a flyout from Ramón Laureano.
Scott earned the win and improved to 1-1 with a 1.37 ERA.
And then the ninth was AWESOME!
Max Muncy struck out, then he didn’t…WHAT? Well, after striking out, he challenged the call, it was overturned, then, instead of striking out, he walked. Alex Call came into run for him, then Mason Miller threw a pickoff move back to LA and Call moved up to third.
Then, Andy Pages had what Freddie Freeman said was the best at bat he had ever seen and hit a sac fly after a long battle to give the Dodgers the lead. Will Klein, the folk hero, closed down the 9th, and that was that. Easy as can be!
Top Performers
Dodgers
Freddie Freeman: 2-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI (.260 AVG, .777 OPS)
Shohei Ohtani: 2-for-3, 2 doubles, RBI, walk (.272 AVG, .872 OPS)
Teoscar Hernández: 1-for-4, double (.263 AVG)
Tanner Scott: 1.1 IP, 0 H, 2 K (1.37 ERA)
Will Klein: 1 IP, 0 H, 1 K, first career save (2.33 ERA)
Padres
Manny Machado: 1-for-4, 2-run HR (7)
Miguel Andújar: 1-for-3, 2-run HR, walk (.299 AVG, .846 OPS)
Fernando Tatis Jr.: 2-for-5, stolen base
The Dodgers are set up to win the series tonight with Shohei Ohtani on the bump. He’s the best pitcher in baseball, so, while Randy Vasquez has been ELITE as well, posting a 2.68 ERA, any time you have Ohtani on your side, that’s a good thing. What a rubber match this should be. Can’t wait!
