Freddie Freeman got the Los Angeles Dodgers going early and Mookie Betts helped provide fireworks late for a 4-2 win over the San Diego Padres.
The Dodgers improved to 4-1 against their National League West rival this season, and can now clinch a second series victory. Their Cinco de Mayo matchup at Petco Park marked the start of six meetings over 10 days.
After Blake Snell pitched his way through early traffic, Freeman ensured the Dodgers would not squander another opportunity by delivering a two-run double after Trayce Thompson and Mookie Betts walked to start the third inning.
The Dodgers’ 2-0 lead held until the Padres got to Dustin May in the top of the seventh to tie the game.
Loud boos for Fernando Tatís Jr., louder boos for Manny Machado and medium boos for Juan Soto. pic.twitter.com/hNB7o5bIvx
— Matthew Moreno (@Matthew__Moreno) May 13, 2023
Clayton Kershaw on the broadcast, Freddie Freeman coming through.pic.twitter.com/ZUbfX0lPJB
— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) May 13, 2023
Mookie and Freddie, back-to-back! pic.twitter.com/XVt83W5ddg
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) May 13, 2023
It didn’t take long for the Dodgers to respond as Betts’ solo home run off Tim Hill put them back ahead in the bottom of the seventh inning. Freeman followed that by taking Hill deep for his own solo blast. That gave the Dodgers back-to-back home runs for the third time this season.
“I was just looking for a strike and trying to put a good swing on it,” Freeman said after the win. “Tim’s had great success against us ever since I’ve been here. Mookie obviously getting a huge hit put us back up. I thought I missed my pitch on 0-0, but luckily I was able to get another pitch and put a good swing on it.”
Freeman finished with a game-high three RBI.
Dustin May leads strong Dodgers pitching
May held the Padres scoreless until they mounted a two-out rally in the seventh inning to chase him from the game. Caleb Ferguson kept the score tied and Evan Phillips converted a five-out save. Phillips’ appearance began with facing Manny Machado with runners at the corners and one out in the eighth inning.
He needed just three pitches to get a key double play and Phillips proceeded to strand a two-out single in the ninth.
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