The Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak to three games with a 5-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks, propelled by another stellar start from Dustin May and Freddie Freeman’s big night at the plate.
Freeman doubled in the third inning and came around to score the Dodgers’ second run of the game on a throwing error. Freeman then hit his first home run of the season in the seventh inning when he drove an elevated fastball the other way.
That made Freeman the ninth Dodgers player with a home run this season after hitting 21 a year ago. The 21 homers marked Freeman’s lowest total in a full season since he slugged 18 in 2015.
Despite a strong start at the plate this season, Freeman noted he has been working with the Dodgers hitting coaches to recapture his swing, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“Every homer is alright. I don’t care where it goes. I’ve been working to try to find it again. I’m working a lot in the cage with RVS (Robert Van Scoyoc), Aaron (Bates) and J.T. (Watkins). Just trying to stay up through the middle. I’ve been kind of topping some balls to the right side, so good start to the road trip.”
Even with the drop off in home runs, Freeman has continued to be one of the league’s most productive hitters since joining the Dodgers. He batted .325/.407/.511 with an MLB-best 199 hits last year and is off to a .385/.500/.577 start this season.
“It’s just what he does,” manager Dave Roberts said of Freeman’s success. “He conducts a good at-bat every time he’s in there, doesn’t give away a pitch. And he takes the walk and he puts the bat on the baseball.
“So it’s just kind of vintage Freddie. It’s what he does. And my hope is that it’s contagious up and down the lineup.”
Freddie Freeman among Dodgers ranked in ESPN Top 100 MLB players list
The Dodgers had five players featured on ESPN’s top 100 MLB players list for the 2023 season, led by Freeman at No. 5. Also included were Mookie Betts (No. 9), Julio Urías (No. 46), Will Smith (No. 47) and Clayton Kershaw (No. 87).
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