Freddie Freeman played a pivotal role in leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a decisive 3-0 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday, breaking the team’s 18-inning scoreless streak. Freeman scored one run and drove in another, extending his impressive on-base streak to 18 games. He began the game with a first-inning single and later added an RBI single in the seventh inning to increase the Dodgers’ lead to 2-0. Overall, he collected three hits and was a standout performer throughout the series, contributing seven RBIs in total, which helped the Dodgers clinch two out of three games in the series.
In addition to Freeman’s success, Shohei Ohtani showcased his talent by doubling and scoring on Mookie Betts’ sacrifice fly in the ninth inning, providing an insurance run for the Dodgers. On the mound, Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivered an impressive performance, tossing 5 2/3 scoreless innings while allowing five hits and striking out six Rays batters. Ben Casparius secured his second career save by successfully navigating a challenging ninth inning with the bases loaded.
Despite Joe Boyle’s strong outing for the Rays, where he pitched five scoreless innings while striking out two, the team’s offense struggled. Notably, Mookie Betts went hitless in the series, extending his personal slump to four consecutive games, which led to his demotion from the leadoff spot.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers will send Tyler Glasnow to the mound on Monday night as they face the Cardinals in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, the Rays are set to debut Adrian Houser against the Angels.
This game highlights Freeman’s outstanding form and the Dodgers’ resilience, setting the stage for their upcoming challenges. The combination of strong pitching from Yamamoto and key offensive contributions could be a sign of good things to come for Los Angeles as they refine their lineup for the weeks ahead.