Dodgers Recap: Dodgers Kick Off Series at Fenway with a Win, Walker Buehler Receives his 2024 World Series Ring

BOSTON, MA – The Los Angeles Dodgers opened their three-game series at Fenway Park on Friday with a 5-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox. The game marked a reunion for the Dodgers with former teammate Walker Buehler, who was presented with his 2024 World Series Ring in a pre-game ceremony. For Dodgers pitcher Emmet Sheehan, a New England native, it was a homecoming start, and he aimed to rebound from his previous outing.

Early Dodgers Lead

The Dodgers got on the board in the top of the second inning. Andy Pages led off with a line drive double to left-center field, and Tommy Edman followed with a bloop single into left, scoring Pages for the game’s first run.

In the top of the third, the Dodgers extended their lead. Shohei Ohtani, Will Smith, and Freddie Freeman strung together singles to load the bases with just one out. Teoscar Hernandez drew a walk, forcing in Ohtani and keeping the bases loaded. Pages then hit a sacrifice fly to right field, bringing home Smith. The inning ended when Freeman was caught stealing home.

Red Sox Respond

The Red Sox narrowed the gap in the bottom of the third. Jarren Duran hit a hard ground ball into right field, scoring Connor Wong. Duran himself was then driven in by an Alex Bregman double off the Green Monster, cutting the Dodgers’ lead to one run. Sheehan managed to escape the inning by inducing two soft fly balls, limiting the damage.

Dodgers Offense Stalls, Sheehan Settles In

In the top of the fifth, Will Smith hit a sharp single off the Green Monster, moving Ohtani to third with one out. However, Teoscar Hernandez struck out swinging at a pitch well outside the strike zone, stranding both runners.

Emmet Sheehan’s night concluded after five innings, as he handed a one-run lead to the bullpen. Despite a shaky second inning, Sheehan settled down and delivered a positive start, finishing with a line of 5 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, and 5 K on 78 pitches (47 strikes), with 6 swing-and-misses.

Hernandez Homers, Casparius Closes It Out

The Dodgers added crucial insurance runs in the top of the eighth. Freddie Freeman smoked a leadoff single to center field. Teoscar Hernandez then crushed a 415-foot two-run home run to center, extending the Dodgers’ lead to three runs with no outs. The inning concluded with Pages caught stealing and Edman flying out.

Ben Casparius entered the game to close it out, securing his first professional save as the Dodgers took game one of the three-game series.

Looking Ahead

Mookie Betts is expected to rejoin the team tomorrow before the first pitch. Tomorrow’s game is scheduled to start at 4:10 PM PDT and will be televised on Fox.

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