Dodgers have an eye on history
Freeman close to first 30-60 season
SAN FRANCISCO ❯❯ Freddie Freeman's pursuit of history is going down to the wire.
Freeman had three hits in the Dodgers' 6-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Friday night, including his 29th home run and 59th double of the season.
One more double in the final two games of the season will give Freeman the first 60-double season since 1936 and only the seventh in MLB history. One more home run and that double would make Freeman the first player in history with 30 home runs and 60 doubles in the same season.
Freeman also scored three times, running his total for the season to 131 and passing Maury Wills for the most runs scored by an LA Dodger. Wills scored 130 runs while winning the National League MVP in 1962.
The Dodgers made some odd history as well — their first overturned call for the position of a player's feet. Miguel Rojas made a nice play on Wilmer Flores' ground ball up the middle in the sixth inning, throwing Flores out at first.
But Giants interim manager Kai Correa (who replaced the dismissed Gabe Kapler on Friday) challenged the call and won when it was determined Rojas started the play with his feet on the outfield grass — a violation of this year's new shift rules.
Flores went back to the plate and drew a walk. An inning later, Rojas was hit in the left hand by a pitch and left the game.
J.D. Martinez made some personal history with a three-run home run in the sixth inning. With the homer, Martinez passed 1,000 career RBIs. He ranks 11th among active players (Freeman is fifth, Miguel Cabrera first).
The Dodgers also got a two-run home run from Will Smith — an encouraging sign of life from the slumping catcher. Smith had gone 13 for 72 (.181) with just one home run in his 19 games before the 409-foot shot to straightaway center field in his first at-bat of the game.
With his role in next week's National League Division Series very much in doubt, Lance Lynn made his final start of the regular season and pitched well — but not right away.
Lynn walked the first two batters he faced, then gave up an RBI single to the third batter (Flores) after a 10-pitch at-bat.
He gave up just one more hit in six innings — though that hit was, of course, a home run (Flores again). It was the 44th home run Lynn has allowed this season — the main deterrent that could have him left off the Dodgers' roster for the NLDS, replaced instead by a bullpen game or some piggy-backing arrangement among Ryan Pepiot, Ryan Yarbrough and Emmet Sheehan.
Open workout
The Dodgers are planning to open their workout next Wednesday to a limited number of season ticket-holders by invitation only.
Eligible fans will need to RSVP through their Dodger Rewards portal.