FREEMAN HITS GO-AHEAD 3-RUN HR VS. BRAVES
A matchup of teams with the National League’s best records was also a comparison of depleted rotations.
Thanks to Freddie Freeman and J.D. Martinez, the Dodgers had more offensive support for their shaky starting pitching. Freeman’s three-run homer in the fifth inning gave Los Angeles the lead, Martinez had four hits, including two homers, and the NL West leaders rallied past the host Atlanta Braves 8-6 on Monday night.
Dodgers rookie Gavin Stone allowed five runs on five hits and five walks in four innings in his second start for Los Angeles. Another rookie, Bobby Miller, will make his debut tonight as the Dodgers piece together a patchwork rotation after placing Dustin May (right elbow pain) and left-hander Julio Urías (hamstring) on the injured list. Two other candidates to start, Michael Grove and Ryan Pepiot, also are on the IL.
The Dodgers used a 12-hit outburst to storm back after the Braves took a 4-0 lead in the first.
“It’s what good teams do, find a way to win,” Martinez said.
Los Angeles won the opener of a three-game series between the top two teams in the NL. Freeman, a longtime Braves star, made the most of his second Atlanta homecoming with three hits to join Martinez in leading the comeback.
Freeman hit his go-ahead
homer off Charlie Morton after Miguel Rojas singled and Mookie Betts walked.
“It felt good,” Freeman said. “Just trying to keep the line moving.”
Added Freeman: “I’m more proud Gavin was able to settle down after the first inning. That was a learning
experience.”
Stone threw 34 pitches while facing nine batters in the first. Ronald Acuña Jr. doubled over James Outman in center field for his 23rd hit leading off a game this season. Acuña scored on Sean Murphy’s single.
Stone walked Austin Riley
before giving up Eddie Rosario’s three-run homer for a 4-0 lead.
Morton (5-4) couldn’t hold it, allowing six runs in five innings. Freeman’s three-run homer gave the Dodgers a 6-4 lead.
Like the Dodgers, the Braves are seeking help in their rotation after losing Max Fried and Kyle Wright to injuries.
“It looks to me like it’s what everybody is having to do,” said Atlanta manager Brian Snitker. “Nobody is immune to it. You see a lot of guys making their major league debuts.”
Evan Phillips (1-0) threw a scoreless fifth. Brusdar Graterol got four outs for his third save.
Freeman doubled in the fourth for a 12-game hitting streak and scored on Max Muncy’s groundout to first base.
Martinez homered off Morton in the second and A.J. Minter in the seventh for his 20th career multi-homer game. The drive in the seventh came after Muncy singled and was caught stealing.
The start of the game was delayed 40 minutes by rain.
There was tension in the fourth when Marcell Ozuna popped out to left field and his bat hit the top of Dodgers catcher Will Smith’s helmet on the follow-through of his swing. Ozuna walked back to the plate with his hands extended as if to apologize. Smith, who missed 13 games in April with a concussion, didn’t seem eager to accept Ozuna’s words.
Acuña came out to escort Ozuna back to the dugout as Dodgers relievers walked out of their bullpen and stood in left field, waiting to see if the situation escalated. There was no further conflict, though Ozuna and Smith exchanged words again in the sixth before Ozuna’s single to right field.
Dodgers backtrack
The Dodgers announced that a satirical LGBTQ+ group called the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence will again be welcome at the team’s annual Pride Night, nearly a week after the team rescinded its original invitation.
“We have asked the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence to take their place on the field at our 10th annual LGBTQ+ Pride Night on June 16th,” a team statement said. “We are pleased to share that they have agreed to receive the gratitude of our collective communities for the lifesaving work that they have done tirelessly for decades.”
After “much thoughtful feedback,” the team also apologized to the group and the LGBTQ+ community, friends and families.