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Dodgers Highlights: Freddie Freeman, Will Smith & Shohei Ohtani Home Runs Against Diamondbacks

Matthew Moreno
3 Min Read
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 30: Will Smith #16 of the Los Angeles Dodgers high fives Teoscar Hernández #37 after hitting a three-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on August 30, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

The Los Angeles Dodgers saw Clayton Kershaw leave in the second inning because of a bone spur in his left big toe, but their bullpen turned in a valiant effort and the offense did just enough to earn a 10-9 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Back in the lineup after missing the entire series against the Baltimore Orioles, Freddie Freeman immediately made his presence felt with a two-run homer in the first inning. Unfortunately for the Dodgers, their lead was short-lived as the Diamondbacks responded with two runs in the bottom of the first.

The scoring continued in the second inning as Miguel Rojas hit an RBI single, and Mookie Betts and Freeman each drove in a run with a productive out.

The Diamondbacks cut into their deficit in the bottom of the second and tied the game in the third inning. It remained knotted until Max Muncy doubled in the sixth and later scored on a wild pitch.

Will Smith then delivered what appeared to be a knockout punch with his three-run homer in the seventh inning. Shohei Ohtani added a solo shot in the eighth that extended the Dodgers’ lead to 10-5 and proved to be the difference as Anthony Banda allowed four runs in the bottom of the ninth.

Ohtani also became the first player in MLB history with 43 home runs and 43 stolen bases in the same season.

Dodgers standings update

With their win, the Dodgers moved five games ahead of the Diamondbacks for first place in the National League West. Thus, regardless of what unfolds over the next three contests at Chase Field, the Dodgers are guaranteed to leave Arizona still atop the division.

However, they need two more wins to clinch the season series and therefore own a tiebreaker over the Diamondbacks.

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Matthew Moreno is a journalist from Whittier, Calif., who is a credentialed reporter and is currently the Managing Editor of DodgerBlue.com and LakersNation.com. In addition to covering Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angels Lakers, Matthew has a strong passion for keeping up to date with the sneakerhead culture. It began with Michael Jordan and Air Jordan shoes, and has carried over to Kobe Bryant's signature line with Nike. Matthew previously was the lead editor and digital strategist at Dodgers Nation, and the co-editor and lead writer at Reign of Troy, where he covered USC Trojans Football. Matthew graduated from California State Long Beach University with a major in journalism and minor in communications. Contact: matt@mediumlargela.com