ATLANTA — A matchup of groups with the National League’s finest data was additionally a comparability of depleted rotations.
Thanks to Freddie Freeman and J.D. Martinez, the Dodgers had extra offensive help for his or her shaky beginning pitching. Freeman‘s three-run homer within the fifth inning gave Los Angeles the lead, Martinez had 4 hits, together with two homers, and the NL West leaders rallied previous the Atlanta Braves 8-6 on Monday evening.
Dodgers rookie Gavin Stone allowed 5 runs on 5 hits and 5 walks in 4 innings in his second begin for Los Angeles. Another rookie, Bobby Miller, will make his debut on Tuesday evening because the Dodgers piece collectively a patchwork rotation after putting Dustin May (proper elbow ache) and left-hander Julio Urías (hamstring) on the injured listing. Two different candidates to begin, Michael Grove and Ryan Pepiot, are also on the IL.
The Dodgers used a 12-hit outburst to storm again after the Braves took a 4-0 lead within the first.
“It’s what good teams do, find a way to win,” Martinez mentioned.
Los Angeles received the opener of a three-game collection between the highest two groups within the NL. Freeman, a longtime Braves star, made probably the most of his second Atlanta homecoming with three hits to hitch Martinez in main the comeback.
PHOTOS: Freeman hits go-ahead 3-run HR in Atlanta homecoming as Dodgers rally, beat Braves 8-6
Freeman hit his go-ahead homer off Charlie Morton after Miguel Rojas singled and Mookie Betts walked.
“It felt good,” Freeman mentioned. “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 whereas dealing with 9 batters within the first. Ronald Acuña Jr. doubled over James Outman in middle area for his twenty third hit main off a recreation this season. Acuña scored on Sean Murphy’s single.
Stone walked Austin Riley earlier than giving up Eddie Rosario’s three-run homer for a 4-0 lead.
Morton (5-4) couldn’t maintain it, permitting six runs in 5 innings. Freeman’s three-run homer gave the Dodgers a 6-4 lead.
Like the Dodgers, the Braves are searching for assist in their rotation after dropping Max Fried and Kyle Wright to accidents.
“It looks to me like it’s what everybody is having to do,” mentioned Atlanta supervisor 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 received 4 outs for his third save.
Freeman doubled within the fourth for a 12-game hitting streak and scored on Max Muncy’s groundout to first base.
Martinez homered off Morton within the second and A.J. Minter within the seventh for his twentieth profession multi-homer recreation. The drive within the seventh got here after Muncy singled and was caught stealing.
The begin of the sport was delayed 40 minutes by rain.
BAD FEELINGS
There was pressure within the fourth when Marcell Ozuna popped out to left area and his bat hit the highest of Dodgers catcher Will Smith’s helmet on the follow-through of his swing. Ozuna walked again to the plate along with his palms prolonged as if to apologize. Smith, who missed 13 video games in April with a concussion, didn’t appear keen to just accept Ozuna’s phrases.
Acuña got here out to escort Ozuna again to the dugout as Dodgers relievers walked out of their bullpen and stood in left area, ready to see if the state of affairs escalated. There was no additional battle, although Ozuna and Smith exchanged phrases once more within the sixth earlier than Ozuna’s single to proper area.
Acuña pulled off an uncommon stolen base after strolling to open the fifth. After Stone additionally walked Matt Olson, Acuña superior to second after which, with nobody paying consideration, took off for third as Stone held the ball.
‘SURREAL’ RETURN FOR FREEMAN
One 12 months after struggling to regulate his feelings in his first return to Atlanta, Freeman had a giant smile as a substitute of tears for reporters earlier than the sport. Freeman mentioned he felt “a massive difference” in his second season with the Dodgers following 15 years within the Braves group and mentioned his feelings throughout his 2022 return have been “kind of raw. … This time, it’s been all smiles.”
Freeman tipped his helmet to followers as he obtained an ovation when launched earlier than his first at-bat.
Freeman has been reunited with outfielder Jason Heyward, his former Braves teammate, this season. “It’s kind of surreal to come full circle,” Freeman mentioned.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw was positioned on the bereavement listing so he can attend his mom’s funeral. Kershaw is anticipated to rejoin the group at its subsequent cease (Tampa Bay) and make his subsequent begin on Saturday. … RHP Wander Suero was designated for project with Stone added to the roster. The Dodgers chosen the contract of RHP Tayler Scott, who will pitch out of the bullpen.
UP NEXT
Miller will probably be recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to make his debut towards Atlanta‘s Spencer Strider in a matchup of hard-throwing right-handers.
Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com