Steve Webb
Game 98, 7/19/2024: Dodgers 4, Red Sox 1
CHAVEZ RAVINE, CA — Now, THAT’S the way you get the second half started! In a thrilling evening at Dodger Stadium, Freddie Freeman emerged as the hero with a dramatic grand slam, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 4-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox. The game, marked by tense pitching duels and defensive plays, ultimately hinged on Freeman’s bat in the bottom of the eighth inning.
The game started with both teams struggling to score. Dodgers’ starter Gavin Stone, despite allowing several hits, kept the Red Sox at bay with timely strikeouts and some solid defense behind him. Meanwhile, the Dodgers just couldn’t solve Bosox starter Nick Pivetta, who held the Dodgers scoreless through six innings of work. The lone run scored off a starter in this one came in the fifth, when the Red Sox managed to take a 1-0 lead in the fifth inning with a solo home run by Jarren Duran. Duran, fresh off his dramatic homer in the All-Star Game, continued his breakout season with a home run that looked like it might hold up for the entire game. Still, overall Stone did well, limiting damage and keeping out of big innings that could have hurt the team. His line for the night: 5.0 IP, 6 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 3 K.
As the game progressed into the late innings, the tension mounted. Dodgers’ relievers Alex Vesia and Ryan Yarbrough kept the Red Sox from adding to their lead, setting the stage for the dramatic finish. Vesia was particularly impressive as he got totally hosed by poor defense from Miguel Vargas that led to a Dominic Smith leadoff double in the seventh. However, Vesia dug back and proceeded to strike out the next three hitters to get out of the inning with no damage.
In the bottom of the eighth, with the Dodgers trailing by one, Miguel Vargas drew a walk, followed by Shohei Ohtani’s ground-rule double just inside the left field line, putting runners at second and third with one out.
After an intentional walk to Will Smith, the bases were loaded for Freeman. Intentionally loading the bases with one out might make sense in a Strat-o-Matic, pencil-pushing kind of way, but Alex Cora might have been well advised to take a look at the on-deck circle before issuing the free pass to Smith. Freeman has long been one of the best clutch hitters in the league, and letting him hit with the bags juiced was just asking for trouble.
Facing lefty reliever Brennan Bernardino, Freeman delivered a line shot to right field, which just cleared the fence as the ball landed in the Sox suddenly dejected bullpen. The homer cleared the bases and turned a one-run deficit into a three-run lead. The grand slam, Freeman’s 15th home run of the season, electrified the home crowd and shifted the momentum firmly in the Dodgers’ favor. After rounding the bases, Freeman got a well-deserved curtain call from the top step of the dugout. It was just the palette cleanser needed to wash away the horrible roadtrip that preceded the All-Star break.
Dodgers closer Daniel Hudson came in for the ninth inning, quickly dispatching the Red Sox with a double play to end the game, sealing the 4-1 victory. Freeman’s clutch performance not only showcased his power but also his ability to deliver under pressure, reinforcing his status as a cornerstone of the Dodgers’ lineup.
The Dodgers try to make it two in a row over the Red Sox on a national TV game on Saturday evening, where rookie Justin Wrobleski will try to secure his first big league victory against Boston righty Bryan Bello. Game time 4:15 PDT. See you at the ballpark!
Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
