The Los Angeles Dodgers had a tale of two games but enjoyed a successful Saturday by completing a doubleheader sweep of the Chicago Cubs behind 7-0 and 6-2 wins.
Freddie Freeman opened the day’s scoring with an RBI double in the first inning of the afternoon game. Freeman finished the game with three doubles, doing so for the first time since 2018 and becoming the first player in Dodgers franchise history with that many at Wrigley Field.
L.A. added to their lead in the fourth inning behind Austin Barnes’ solo home run. Barnes’ third home run of the season pulled him even with Freeman and Max Muncy for second-most on the team. Cody Bellinger and Mookie Betts are tied for the Dodgers’ lead with four homers each.
Justin Turner created more separation with a two-run double in the fifth inning. The double to left field had an 107.7 mph exit velocity, good for Turner’s hardest-hit ball of the season.
After Freeman’s third double, Trea Turner padded the Dodgers’ lead with an RBI single in the seventh inning. Barnes added to his big day with a two-run base hit in the eighth inning.
"Freddie" chants at…Wrigley Field. pic.twitter.com/rToeMAT8BC
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 7, 2022
Windy City? No problem for Barnesy. pic.twitter.com/8k1aaL6E0N
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 7, 2022
Austin Barnes drives in a pair.
pic.twitter.com/2oosiRXSFh
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) May 7, 2022
Clear the bases Mookie, don’t be Chi. pic.twitter.com/vulgUHBCcU
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 8, 2022
102 mph from @BrusdarGraterol.
pic.twitter.com/aHDYzjqQLH
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 8, 2022
The Mookie Betts game! pic.twitter.com/qRqBXNGkal
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 8, 2022
The nightcap of the doubleheader was about the Dodgers’ inability to fully take advantage of tying a season high with nine walks.
Trailing 1-0 in the second inning, the Dodgers drew three consecutive walks to load the bases. Cubs opener Daniel Norris nearly escaped the jam as he struck out Bellinger and Chris Taylor, only to then walk Hanser Alberto.
Betts followed that with a bases-clearing double that gave the Dodgers a decided lead and extended his hitting streak to eight games. Betts then provided insurance with a two-run homer in the ninth inning and was responsible for two of the team’s three hits.
Betts prevented Dodgers franchise history
Prior to Betts’ home run, the Dodgers were on track to make franchise history with at least four runs scored with one or zero hits.
Overall, there have been four games in MLB history in which a team had four or more runs on one or fewer hits. Those clubs are 3-1 in such games.
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