Dodgers Recap: Mookie and Freddie lead the way to split in AZ

PHOENIX — It’s been the longest road trip of the year, one with no off days. And after the flat tire of Saturday, the Dodgers were hoping to get a getaway day win in Arizona on this Pretty-in-Pink Mother’s Day contest. And, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman were more than happy to oblige. Betts came up big with three hits and a homer. Freeman’s blazing start to 2025 continued on Sunday with a four-hit, three-RBI afternoon, leading the Dodgers to a 8-1 win over Zac Gallen and the Arizona Diamondbacks. They finish the road trip at 6-4, and return home with first place in the NL West.

After being shut out on Saturday, the Dodgers wasted no time getting on the board on Sunday. Shohei Ohtani grounded out against Snakes starter Zac Gallen to lead off, but Betts and Freeman teed off on the Arizona righty. Mookie ripped a single into center, and then Freddie plated a run with an RBI double.

The next couple of innings were quiet, but the top of the order came through again in the top of the fifth. Shohei Ohtani broke a little bit of a lull with a single to center. Then, Mookie Betts doubled him to third. Freddie Freeman hit a sacrifice fly to score the Dodgers’ second run of the game. The D-backs brought the infield in, and Will Smith said, “Thank you very much” and drilled an RBI single up the middle to plate another run. After five, the Dodgers were up 3-1.

Meanwhile, Tony Gonsolin was dealing. There was a bit of traffic, but Gonsolin made the pitches he needed to, threw five straight zeroes on the scoreboard. Gallen was chased by back-to-back hits in the sixth (Conforto and Kim), and Gallen gave way to lefty Joe Mantiply. Shohei Ohtani said “Thank you very much” and promptly drilled an RBI single to right. The Dodgers did make two outs on the bases in the inning, but went into the final innings with a 4-0 lead.

Gonsolin was pulled after the five scoreless innings. It could have been a little more efficient (only 48 strikes out of 84 pitches), but still a very nice afternoon for the Cat Man: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K.

In the top of the seventh, the Dodgers added yet another run with yet another Freddie Freeman RBI. This time, he blasted a Joe Mantiply hanging curveball into the infamous Chase Field pool for his ninth homer of the year. The hit brought Freeman’s sneaky-great slash line for the year to .376/.437/.734. Tell me again how he’s not one of the top ten first baseman in the game.

In the eighth, the Dodgers piled on and extended their lead. With one out, Mookie Betts ripped a solo shot to the opposite field, and after ANOTHER Freddie hit, Will Smith got his second steak of the day with a double to score Freeman. Andy Pages then got in on the fun with a double to score the Dodgers’ eighth run of the game. That gave the Dodgers plenty of breathing room going into the bottom of the ninth.

Gonsolin’s replacements did decent work to finish up the game. Jack Dreyer was the first out of the pen in the sixth. Then, Ben Casparius took over and gave up one run in 1.1 innings. Tanner Scott was cutthroat efficient in a six-pitch eighth, and Matt Sauer finished things up in the ninth.

After a three-city road trip, the Dodgers thankfully get a day of rest on Monday. Then, the surprisingly not-terrible Athletics come in for a three-game set starting on Tuesday. Landon Knack will get the start for the opener, with Yamamoto and Sasaki coming in on his heels. It’s going to be good to welcome the boys home after this longest road trip of the year. See you at the Ravine!

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