Los Angeles Dodgers beat Atlanta Braves 3-1 on Friday night, with Shohei Ohtani providing the go‑ahead single in the fifth inning. The win kept the Dodgers atop the National League West heading into the mid‑season stretch.
Freddie Freeman added a solo blast in the sixth, while the bullpen closed the game with a perfect ninth from Tanner Scott. The victory moved the Dodgers back into a tie for the NL lead, intensifying the early‑season race.
Shohei Ohtani has now logged six RBIs in his last three starts, a pace that puts him among the league’s elite two‑way players and fuels his MVP chatter. His 12th homer of the year came just two days earlier, and his 0.95 WHIP this season underscores why the front office has built the lineup around his dual threat.
Freddie Freeman, a veteran first‑baseman, has reached 15 home runs this campaign, matching his career high for a single month. The 33‑year‑old’s on‑base percentage of .398 demonstrates his knack for getting runners into scoring position, a skill that proved decisive against Atlanta’s middle of the order.
What does Ohtani’s performance reveal about the Dodgers’ recent form?
The Dodgers have been dominant on both sides of the ball, winning five of their last six games. Ohtani’s RBI single capped a five‑run fifth that highlighted the club’s depth, and Freeman’s 413‑foot homer underscored their power surge.
Since signing with Los Angeles in December 2023 for a record-breaking 10-year, $700 million contract, Ohtani has transformed the Dodgers’ offensive identity. The 30-year-old Japanese superstar, who spent five seasons with the Los Angeles Angels before his move across town, has seamlessly integrated into a lineup that already featured former MVP Freeman and emerging star Will Smith. His ability to impact games both at the plate and, when healthy, on the mound makes him a unique asset that general manager Brandon Gomes prioritized during contract negotiations.
The Dodgers’ current 28-18 record represents a continuation of their championship-caliber expectations following their 2024 World Series title. Manager Dave Roberts has deployed Ohtani primarily as a designated hitter this season, preserving his arm strength after the two-way star underwent elbow surgery in September 2023. This strategic approach has paid dividends, as Ohtani‘s offensive production ranks among the league leaders in virtually every meaningful metric.
Freeman’s performance carries particular significance given his history with Friday’s opponent. The 15-year veteran spent the first 12 seasons of his career with the Braves, helping Atlanta reach the postseason six times before his departure via free agency in 2021. His 413-foot solo homer against his former club served as another reminder of why the Dodgers pursued him aggressively—Freeman’s career .387 on-base percentage ranks among the best in baseball history for first basemen, and his leadership in the clubhouse has helped integrate Ohtani into Los Angeles’s winning culture.
Key details from the game
Ohtani drove in Miguel Rojas with two outs in the fifth to put Los Angeles up 2-1. Freeman led off the sixth with his fourth homer of the season, a 413‑foot shot to center. Alex Vesia earned the win, improving to 1-0 after recording the final out. Tanner Scott secured his third save, delivering a perfect ninth inning. Atlanta’s ace Chris Sale took the loss, dropping to 6-2 after allowing three runs over seven innings.
The pitching matchup featured two of the National League’s most accomplished left-handers. Sale, acquired by Atlanta in December 2023, entered the game with a 2.75 ERA and had established himself as the Braves’ de facto ace following Spencer Strider’s season-ending injury. The 35-year-old veteran, who won the 2018 American League Cy Young with the Boston Red Sox, limited the Dodgers to seven hits and two walks while striking out six—performance metrics that would typically earn a win against most opponents.
However, Los Angeles’s patient approach ultimately wore down Sale’s command. The Dodgers’ lineup worked deep counts throughout the evening, forcing the left-hander to throw 108 pitches across seven innings. This workload represents a concerning trend for Atlanta, as Sale has already logged 78 innings this season after missing significant time to injuries in recent years. The Braves’ coaching staff will likely monitor his arm closely heading into the summer months.
Alex Vesia’s emergence as a reliable late-inning option has stabilized what was once a shaky Dodgers bullpen. The 28-year-old left-hander, who debuted with Miami in 2019 before being acquired by Los Angeles in 2022, has developed into a key bridge to closer Tanner Scott. Vesia’s ability to record outs against both left-handed and right-handed hitters gives Roberts flexibility in high-leverage situations, particularly against lineups that feature switch-hitters or platoon advantages.
Key Developments
- Alex Vesia recorded his first win of the season, moving his record to 1-0.
- Tanner Scott logged his third save of the year, finishing the game with a flawless ninth.
- Freeman’s home run was his fourth of the campaign, traveling 413 feet to center.
- Chris Sale’s season record fell to 6-2 following the loss to the Dodgers.
- Spencer Strider’s ERA rose to 8.10 after his outing against Atlanta.
- Freeman’s .398 OBP this season marks his best on‑base stretch since 2022.
National League playoff picture implications
The Dodgers’ victory carries significant weight in the context of the National League playoff race. With Friday’s win, Los Angeles improved to 28-18, matching the New York Mets for the best record in the senior circuit. The Philadelphia Phillies, who entered the weekend one game back, remain in striking distance of the top spot, creating a three-team battle that could define the NL’s first-half narrative.
Atlanta’s loss dropped the Braves to 24-22, placing them 3.5 games behind the division-leading New York Mets in the NL East. The Braves’ struggles represent one of the season’s more surprising developments, as many preseason projections had Atlanta competing for the best record in baseball. Beyond Sale’s individual excellence, Atlanta’s rotation has dealt with inconsistency—Strider’s 8.10 ERA represents a dramatic regression from his 2023 campaign, when the 25-year-old finished fourth in NL Cy Young voting with a 3.86 ERA and 281 strikeouts.
The Dodgers’ upcoming series against the San Diego Padres carries added significance given the NL West’s competitive nature. San Diego entered the weekend at 24-21, just 3.5 games behind Los Angeles in the division standings. The Padres, led by Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, have invested heavily in their roster and represent the most credible threat to the Dodgers’ division dominance. A strong performance in this four-game set could establish Los Angeles’s control over the NL West heading into June.
What’s next for the Dodgers?
Los Angeles returns to Dodger Stadium next week to face the San Diego Padres, a series that could widen the NL West gap if the offense stays hot. Ohtani‘s clutch hitting and the bullpen’s reliability suggest the Dodgers are poised to sustain their early lead, though the front office will watch Sale’s health and Strider’s struggles closely.
Roberts will likely continue managing Ohtani’s workload carefully, giving the two-way star regular rest days while maintaining his elite production. With Mookie Betts expected to return from injury within the next two weeks, Los Angeles’s lineup will feature even more depth, potentially creating additional matchup problems for opposing pitchers.
The Dodgers’ championship window remains open, and Friday’s victory over a quality Braves team demonstrated why they remain the favorites in the National League. Ohtani’s ability to deliver in high-leverage situations, combined with Freeman’s consistent excellence and the bullpen’s emerging strength, positions Los Angeles well for another deep postseason run.
How many RBIs did Shohei Ohtani record in the win over Atlanta?
Ohtani drove in one run, delivering a go‑ahead single that broke a 1-1 tie in the fifth inning.
What was Freddie Freeman’s contribution in the game?
Freeman hit a solo home run, his fourth of the season, launching the ball 413 feet to center field.
Did any pitcher record a save for the Dodgers?
Tanner Scott earned the save, pitching a perfect ninth inning for his third save of the year.
How does Ohtani’s performance affect his MVP candidacy?
Ohtani’s blend of power, plate discipline and sub‑1.00 WHIP places him atop most early‑season MVP projections, especially as his clutch hits directly influence close games.