The Los Angeles Dodgers finished off their series at Coors Field with a 5-3 victory to clinch a series win ahead of returning home for the Freeway Series.
Shohei Ohtani continued setting the tone from the leadoff spot in the Dodgers lineup with his 21st home run of the season. Ohtani’s blast to center field traveled 431 feet.
In four games as the Dodgers’ leadoff hitter since Mookie Betts was placed on the 10-day injured list because of a fractured left hand, Ohtani has gone a combined 8-for-18 with three doubles, two home runs and seven RBI.
Andy Pages added onto the Dodgers’ lead with an RBI double in the third inning. The table had been set by Teoscar Hernández collecting one of his team-leading three hits. Hernández’s big day at the plate came on the heels of being removed early Wednesday night in effort to get him extra rest.
The Dodgers took a 3-0 lead when Miguel Vargas’ base hit brought Pages in.
Shohei starts the game with a solo shot to center field!
(🎥: @Dodgers) pic.twitter.com/Nig6wJzFBS— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) June 20, 2024
It's the first day of summer, so of course there was going to be a hit from Will Smith.
(🎥: @SportsNetLA) pic.twitter.com/rWk4AFxci2— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) June 20, 2024
#Dodgers have 5 sets of back-to-back home runs this season. Freddie Freeman has been part of all of them.
(🎥: @SportsNetLA) pic.twitter.com/hiUNp74xXJ— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) June 20, 2024
Then in the fourth inning, Will Smith and Freddie Freeman connected on back-to-back solo home runs. The Dodgers’ offense went quiet from there, but Gavin Stone and a quartet of relief pitchers did enough to protect the lead.
It what wasn’t a highlight for Freeman but led to some jokes in the clubhouse, he was out of breath after legging out an infield single in the ninth inning. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and a trainer checked on Freeman as he leaned against first base coach Clayton McCullough amid initial concerns of an injury.
Freeman said Kiké Hernández aggressively ensured he put on an oxygen mask in order to catch his breath.
Dodgers back-to-back home runs
The Dodgers have hit back-to-back home runs five times this season, with Freeman involved in each instance. He’s paired with Ohtani three times, and twice with Smith.
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