LOS ANGELES — Freddie Freeman is dialed in on the proper time because the Los Angeles Dodgers picked up a much-needed collection sweep.
The All-Star first baseman had three hits and continued his torrid tempo on the plate Thursday night time because the Dodgers beat the Oakland Athletics 8-2.
Freeman, second within the majors with a .341 batting common, has gone 32 for 63 (.508) since July 17. He hit two doubles, extending his main league-lead to 40, earlier than main off the eighth with a solo shot to proper discipline for his twenty second homer of the season.
“He has a calmness and peace. He’s playing MVP-caliber baseball,” supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned. “Whether it is hitting a double the other way vs. a lefty, a home run to the pull side, making a great play defensively. I can’t praise him enough.”
Miguel Rojas and Amed Rosario each drove in two runs because the Dodgers accomplished their first-three recreation sweep over the Athletics. They have gone 11-2 towards the AL West this season.
Julio Urías (8-6) bounced again with 5 scoreless innings after permitting 11 runs in 11 innings in his earlier two begins. Emmet Sheehan went the final 4 innings for his first major-league save.
PHOTOS: Freeman has 3 hits to guide Dodgers to 8-2 victory and 3-game sweep of Athletics
Despite the sweep, Los Angeles (62-45) has solely a 2 1/2 recreation lead over San Francisco earlier than a pivotal four-game collection at San Diego. The Giants have saved tempo with their very own sweep over Arizona.
“They’ve got a young team over there, guys getting their feet wet in the big leagues. And obviously, we got to take care of business when we play those guys and we were able to do that,” Freeman mentioned of sweeping the Athletics. “This time we were able to complete the sweep which was good for us. Hopefully we can carry the momentum over to the weekend.”
Oakland (30-80) is just the third staff since 1960 to drop at the least 80 of their first 110 video games. The 2003 Detroit Tigers and 1962 New York Mets each went 29-81.
Rookies Zack Gelof and Tyler Soderstrom homered for the Athletics, who’ve dropped 4 straight and 7 of their final 9.
JP Sears (2-8) took the loss after permitting two runs in 5 innings.
“These young kids, they’ve come up together. It is a good sign for them to homer in a game together,” supervisor Mark Kotsay mentioned. “Overall to see JP compete like he did and walk off the mound after giving up only two in five innings is another good sign.”
Los Angeles outscored Oakland 25-6 and had 20 extra-base hits within the collection, together with six doubles within the finale.
“I’m just trying to be a good hitter,” Freeman mentioned. “It’s one of those times where you’re not fouling off pitches you are supposed to hit. They go forward and find grass.”
Rojas drove within the first two Dodgers‘ runs on doubles to left discipline within the second and third innings.
After Gelof’s solo shot to left received Oakland inside a run, Los Angeles broke it open with 4 within the sixth off Lucas Erceg. Rosario had a two-run double to left whereas Will Smith and David Peralta added RBI base hits.
Soderstrom hit his first big-league homer within the eighth inning earlier than the Dodgers responded within the house half on Freeman‘s solo shot and Chris Taylor’s RBI single.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Dodgers: 1B Max Muncy left the sport within the sixth inning attributable to a bruised left wrist. He was hit by a pitch within the fifth. Roberts mentioned after the sport X-Rays got here up detrimental. … DH J.D. Martinez missed his third straight recreation attributable to left hamstring tightness, however Roberts mentioned Martinez will face reside pitching throughout batting follow on Friday in San Diego and that he might return to the lineup on Saturday. … LHP Clayton Kershaw (left shoulder tightness) threw 4 innings in a simulated recreation on Thursday. He could have a bullpen session in a pair days, and if all goes properly he might return to the rotation subsequent week.
ROSTER MOVE
The Athletics recalled INF Jonah Bride for the third time this season and chosen the contract of RHP Zach Neal. INF Tyler Wade was designated for task and LHP Hogan Harris was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas.
UP NEXT
Athletics: Have a uncommon Friday off earlier than the Bay Bridge rivalry collection resumes towards the San Francisco Giants. A starter has not been named for Saturday’s recreation in Oakland.
Dodgers: RHP Bobby Miller (6-2, 4.37 ERA) faces the Padres for the primary time as a four-game collection begins in San Diego.
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