The Los Angeles Dodgers snapped another winning streak on their road trip out of the All-Star break as they thumped the Texas Rangers, 11-5, in the series opener at Globe Life Field.
The Rangers went into the matchup on a six-game winning streak. The Dodgers previously snapped the Baltimore Orioles’ season-best eight-game winning streak. Friday’s game was their first visit to Globe Life Field since winning the 2020 World Series there.
It didn’t begin on a positive note as Nathaniel Lowe’s home run in the first inning gave the Rangers a 2-0 lead.
Freddie Freeman’s two-run double in the third tied the game and J.D. Martinez’s RBI single put the Dodgers ahead but he was thrown out attempting to stretch it to a double, ending the inning.
The Rangers loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the fourth and pulled even on Jonah Heim’s sacrifice fly. Travis Jankowski’s sac fly gave the Rangers a 4-3 lead.
Freddie Freeman is so good at baseball. pic.twitter.com/jQzk5ZDuUj
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 22, 2023
Freddie's homers are bigger in Texas. pic.twitter.com/my9pfc3DEr
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 22, 2023
WOW, JONNY. pic.twitter.com/abVPwxdAa5
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 22, 2023
Workin', 9-5. pic.twitter.com/FTCvDApuLF
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 22, 2023
The vibes are immaculate. pic.twitter.com/ElzdlzdO0a
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 22, 2023
That wound up being the final run Tony Gonsolin allowed in a second consecutive start of five innings pitched. He was aided by Jonny DeLuca making a diving catch for the second out in the bottom of the fifth, and a leaping grab on the warning track the next batter to end the inning.
Freeman provided another big swing for the Dodgers by going to left-center field for a game-tying home run in the fifth. After Corey Seager’s leadoff homer put the Rangers ahead in the sixth inning, the Dodgers responded with seven unanswered runs.
Their flurry began with Martinez working a walk with the bases loaded in the seventh, and Max Muncy beating out a would-be inning-ending double play ball to bring in a go-ahead run on the force out.
Will Smith gave the Dodgers insurance in the eighth inning on a two-run double, and Martinez followed with an RBI single for his third hit of the game.
Mookie Betts capped off their win with a two-run double in the ninth.
Freddie Freeman inspires Dodgers dance celebration
With each of their big hits against the Rangers, Dodgers players stretched their arms into the air for a new dance celebration.
Freeman revealed to Kirsten Watson on SportsNet LA it was not his idea but teammates being inspired by his dance moves from the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation Blue Diamond Gala.
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