MIXED EMOTIONS

Trea Turner leads way to win for Dodgers, who lose Hudson to knee injury Tears flow as Freeman receives warm welcome in his return to Atlanta

ATLANTA » Freddie Freeman returned to his former home and couldn't stop crying.

Trea Turner has returned to his former home and hasn't stopped hitting.

Turner had his second consecutive three-hit game Friday night as the Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves, 4-1, in the first game of a three-game series at Truist Park.

Primarily a leadoff hitter throughout his career, Turner returned to that spot a week ago when Mookie Betts went to the injured list with a cracked rib. In seven games back on top, Turner has gone 15 for 32 with two doubles, two home runs, seven runs scored and five RBIs.

ATLANTA » There was crying in baseball on Friday night. A whole lot of it.

The tears started flowing when Freddie Freeman entered the interview room at Truist Park hours before game time. He stopped short of the stage, put his arms over his face, turned and left the room.

He returned after a brief attempt to compose himself, using a towel to cover his face and wipe away the tears that kept coming.

“I don't know if I can get through this,” he said, unwilling to look up at the familiar faces from the Atlanta media because it would set him off again. “I was doing pretty good about an hour ago. Gosh.”

ANAHEIM » The list of players who begin each season as the Angels' fourth outfielder is beginning to resemble the list of Spinal Tap drummers. Not since Ben Revere in 2017 has the primary backup managed to remain with the team from the beginning of the season until the end.

To recap: the Angels designated Justin Upton for assignment in April; he was signed by the Seattle Mariners in May and was their starting left fielder on Friday night.

Last season, Dexter Fowler suffered a seasonending knee injury after playing just seven games.

In 2020, Brian Goodwin was traded to Cincinnati at the deadline.

In 2019, Peter Bourjos was released in May.

In 2018, Chris Young suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in July.

The result each time has been a revolving door of outfielders, young and old, who rarely stay long enough to leave an impression in Anaheim. (Remember Adam Eaton?) The door revolved again Friday, when Juan Lagares was designated for assignment and Monte Harrison was promoted from Triple-A Salt Lake.

Lagares, 33, signed a free agent contract with the Angels on May 8 and was promoted after seven games at Triple-A Salt Lake. He did not participate in spring training while waiting for a major league contract, and the rust showed. Lagares batted .183 in 20 games while managing to amass -0.9 Wins Above Replacement, according to Baseball-Reference.

The Angels face the Mariners in a late game at Anaheim.

Up next: Mariners at Angels, today, 7:07 p.m., BSW, FS1

Online: