On Friday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers upset the Texas Rangers 11-5 with Freddie Freeman’s two-run double and single homer.
The Dodgers played at Globe Life Field for the first time since winning the 2020 World Series, NL Championship Series, and NL Division Series in the neutral-site postseason during the COVID-19 pandemic. J.D. Martinez had two RBI singles and a bases-loaded walk.
Corey Seager, the Dodgers’ shortstop when he was World Series and NLCS MVP, homered against the team he left in free agency two winters ago for a $325 million, 10-year deal in Texas. The All-Star hit his 15th home run to put the Rangers up 5-4 in the sixth inning, but he left two innings later after hurting his hand on a headfirst slide into second base for a double.
In the seventh, Los Angeles loaded the bases on two walks, including an intentional pass to Freeman, and a Will Smith single before Martinez walked to force home the tying run. Rookie right-hander Alex Speas (0-1) faced only four hitters.
Max Muncy’s fielder’s-choice grounder scored Freeman to put the Dodgers ahead 6-5. Smith and Mookie Betts added two-run doubles.
After taking over in the sixth, Ryan Brasier (2-0) got an inning-ending double-play grounder.
Freeman’s opposite-field double into the left-center gap in the third inning scored on Martinez’s single for a 3-2 Dodgers lead. Freeman’s 18th homer tied the game in the fifth with two outs.
The Rangers, the only team without a loss since the All-Star break, opened with a two-run homer by Nathaniel Lowe. Their longest victory streak since 2019 was six.
Dodgers rookie center fielder Jonny Deluca made two amazing catches against consecutive batters to end the fifth inning. After diving to take a hit from Leody Taveras, Deluca leapt at the fence 400 feet from the plate to take a home run from Marcus Semien with the game tied.
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LOUD AND RAUCOUS
For the beginning of a three-game series, a sellout crowd of 39,808 chanted for both teams—sometimes at the same time. The pandemic limited World Series and NLCS stadium capacity to 25% three years ago.
For starters
Andrew Heaney, who pitched for the Dodgers last season before joining Texas in free agency, gave four runs and five hits in five innings. He had two scoreless home starts. In five innings, Los Angeles right-hander Tony Gonsolin struck out six, allowed two hits, walked three, and gave up four runs on Lowe’s homer and two sac flies in the fourth.
Trainer’s room
Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (left shoulder pain) threw 40 pitches in a bullpen session and will pitch a simulated game Monday. Manager Dave Roberts said the 10-time All-Star won’t rehab until being activated, possibly next weekend. … LF Chris Taylor fouled a second-inning pitch off his left knee. He kept playing.
Up next
Saturday’s afternoon game starts with right-hander Dane Dunning (8-2, 2.82 ERA). LA rookie right-hander Bobby Miller (5-1, 4.25) pitches.