Photo: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images
The Los Angeles Dodgers are not disappointing their fans, nor the analysts who consider that their lineup could be the most powerful in the Major Leagues in memory. The Los Angeles team won its seventh straight game on Monday, this time with an authentic Hollywood script.
Freddie Freeman, the star first baseman acquired in the winter, faced the Atlanta Braves for the first time in his career, with whom he played for 12 seasons before arriving in Los Angeles. In his first at-bat against his former teammates, with whom he won the World Series of 2020, Freeman homered in left-center field in the first inning to lead the Dodgers to a 7-4 win.
It was Freeman’s debut as a slugger with his new team. In an Atlanta uniform, he hit 271 home runs in a brilliant career that included the MVP trophy in 2020.
The Dodgers (8-2), who matched the best record on Sunday of MLB in this beginning of the season, they reached 20 consecutive regular season wins in their stadium by open a series flavored with revenge after Atlanta beat LA in the AL Championship Series last October, when injuries blew up the Dodgers.
Clayton Kershaw (2-0), who in his first start of the year pitched 7 perfect innings, took the win to reach 100 for life at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers’ starting pitching rotation started the game with an earned run average of 0.56 during the current winning streak.
Day of emotions and cheers for Freddie Freeman
Before the game, Freeman stopped by the visitors’ dugout to say hello to all of his former teammates. He then received his Silver Slugger as the best hitting first baseman in the National League the previous year. He did it in the company of his family and Brian Snitker, the manager of the Braves.
But once the match started, Freeman put emotions and friendships aside with his smash that exploded with cries of “Fre-ddie, Fre! -ddie, Fre-ddie!” in the stands , the same songs that began to be heard since his debut at Dodger Stadium. In addition to his home run he reached base twice with walks.
The Dodgers increased their lead with a five-run rally in the fourth inning that was capped by a bases-loaded double by Trea Turner that drove in three runs.
Clayton Kershaw started the season with 11 blank innings
The first run of the season against Kershaw came in the fifth inning -after 11 blank innings- for a home run by Cuban Guillermo Heredia. An inning later, Ozzie Albies also homered to make it 5-2, and Kershaw came out after the next two batters hit him. Both would score to adjust the score (6-4).
The lefty’s performance was 5 innings, 6 hits, 4 earned runs, 7 strikeouts and 0 walks. Huascar Ynoa (0-2) was the losing pitcher.
Cody Bellinger added solo homer in the eighth to make it 7-4, giving new Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel a little more cushion, another one who had a great run with Atlanta. The right-hand closer retired in order for his third save.
To add to the excitement from matches against old friends, Kenley Jansen returned to Los Angels for the first time as a visiting player, as the big man from Curaçao is now the closer for Atlanta. Los Angeles’ all-time saves leader sat out Monday but received a tribute from the Dodgers before the game.
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