The Los Angeles Dodgers dropped their rubber match with the Miami Marlins on Wednesday afternoon despite having a golden opportunity to end their homestand on a winning note.
Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Dodgers were able to get the first two runners on base when Hyeseong Kim and Alex Call drew back-to-back walks. Alex Freeland then laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance them before Shohei Ohtani was intentionally walked to load the bases for Freddie Freeman.
It was a big spot for the nine-time All-Star, who has struggled with consistency this season. Freeman couldn’t break out of his slump, however, as he grounded into a game-ending double play to finish 0-for-5 in the game.
“Yeah, just hit and miss,” Freeman said of his swing after the game. “Two of the three were good today, and then the other three were bad. Three of the bads were when I needed them to be good.
“It’s just kind of up and down right now. Just trying to feel for it and hopefully get one fall, get some confidence.”
Freeman’s offensive woes were part of the Dodgers’ broader struggles. The offense had seven hits and six walks, but once again failed to hit in situational at-bats as they went 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position while leaving nine men on base.
“I mean, I had pitches to hit, I just didn’t hit them,” Freeman said. “So I can’t speak for everybody else. I mean, I had strikes. I swung at the strikes, I didn’t hit the strikes.”
Freddie Freeman’s 2026 stats
Freeman has gotten off to a slow start this season, batting just .259/.328/.414 with seven doubles, one triple, three home runs, and 15 RBI in 128 plate appearances across 29 games.
Freeman, who began the year as the Dodgers’ cleanup hitter, recently swapped spots with Kyle Tucker in the lineup and is now hitting No. 2.
“I think it’s more of just trying to give Kyle a different look,” Roberts said of the change on SportsNet LA. “He’s obviously going through it right now and not feeling great at the plate. So sometimes the different visuals, letting the game come to you a little bit before jumping in there in the two, changes your outlook and potentially the results.
“So that’s kind of the thought, and I’m going to stick with this for the foreseeable future. We’ll see where it goes.”
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