Shohei Ohtani failed to extend his home run streak but the Los Angeles Dodgers started their road trip with a 5-2 win over the Boston Red Sox.
Emmet Sheehan labored in the first inning as he threw 32 pitches despite the Red Sox only putting one in play. Shehean was hurt by issuing two walks but struck out Trevor Story and Masataka Yoshida after issuing the second free pass.
He was much more efficient in the second inning, only to struggle in the third. The Dodgers had taken a 3-0 lead by that point behind an RBI single from Tommy Edman, Teoscar Hernández walking with the bases loaded and an Andy Pages sacrifice fly.
There was an opportunity for more runs in the third inning but a curious attempt at a double steal resulted in Freddie Freeman getting thrown out at the plate.
Connor Wong helped Boston start a rally that cut into their deficit by leading off the bottom of the third with a double. The extra-base hit was Wong’s first of the season and came amid rumors the Red Sox have interest in Dalton Rushing for their backup catcher role.
Jarren Duran, who also is the subject of Red Sox trade rumors, hit an RBI single and scored on Alex Bregman’s double that went off the Green Monster.
Sheehan held the Red Sox to just the two runs even without being sharp. He pitched retired the final nine batters faced to get through five innings, and finished with five strikeouts. The start at Fenway Park was a first for Sheehan, who starred at nearby Boston College before being drafted by the Dodgers in 2021.
As the Dodgers’ bullpen was protecting a slim lead, Teoscar Hernández provided some breathing room with a two-run home run in the eighth inning. The homer was Hernández’s first since June 21.
Ben Casparius, a Connecticut native, stranded a leadoff double in the ninth inning to convert the first save of his career.
Mookie Betts expected to rejoin Dodgers
Like manager Dave Roberts indicated would potentially be the case, Mookie Betts was not with the Dodgers to begin their road trip as he tends to a personal matter.
The plan is for Betts to travel from Nashville to Boston, but he likely won’t arrive at Fenway Park until close to first pitch and therefore it’s not clear if the 32-year-old will be in the lineup.
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