Alex Freeland Proves Worth in Dodgers’ Win Against Diamondbacks
The Los Angeles Dodgers edged the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-4 at Dodger Stadium. Alex Freeland scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning.
Game summary
Kyle Tucker’s eighth-inning single to right field sent Freeland home and broke a 4-4 tie. Shohei Ohtani’s groundout moved Freeland to third before Tucker plated him.
Freeland opened the scoring with a third-inning solo home run. Mookie Betts followed two batters later with a three-run blast to give the Dodgers a 4-2 lead.
Key defensive plays
In the second inning, Alek Thomas doubled with two outs and two runners aboard. Tucker chased the ball, threw to second, and Freeland relayed home to tag out Pavin Smith.
Thomas again lined a ball into the right-field corner in the fourth. Tucker and Freeland combined on a relay to third to catch Thomas trying to stretch the hit into a triple.
Pitching notes
Emmet Sheehan started and lasted 3 1/3 innings. He allowed four earned runs and five hits in his season debut.
Statcast recorded Sheehan’s average fastball velocity down 1.6 mph from last season. Jack Dreyer escaped the fourth after Thomas’s second big hit of the game.
Late-inning finish
Edwin Díaz made his Dodgers debut as closer. His entrance featured Timmy Trumpet’s “Narco,” a light show, and a live trumpet; he recorded the save.
Personal returns and rehab updates
Left-hander Alex Vesia threw a scoreless seventh inning Friday. It was his first regular-season appearance since his newborn daughter died in October.
Dodgers relievers had honored Vesia during the World Series by writing his number on their caps. He acknowledged the crowd and appeared to place his hand over his heart.
Right-hander Brock Stewart, recovering from shoulder surgery, threw his first live batting practice session Friday. He estimated 18 pitches, plans another live session Tuesday in Phoenix, and expects a rehab assignment lasting two to three weeks.
Alex Freeland proved his worth with timely offense and defense. His contributions were central to the Dodgers’ win against the Diamondbacks.
Report filed by Filmogaz.com.
