Freddie Freeman's homer helps Dodgers down Braves

Published: Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 5:13 am

Dodgers Rally to Defeat Braves in Friday Night Showdown

Los Angeles, CA – The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Friday night, fueled by key offensive contributions and a strong performance from their bullpen. The win marked the start of a seven-game homestand for the Dodgers, following a mixed road trip.

The Braves took an early lead, with Austin Riley driving in a run in the second inning. However, the Dodgers quickly responded, tying the game in the bottom of the second. The Dodgers then took the lead in the fifth inning when Shohei Ohtani delivered a go-ahead single.

The Dodgers' offense continued to shine in the sixth inning when Freddie Freeman, facing his former team, blasted a home run against Braves pitcher Chris Sale. This was Freeman's first home run in 26 games and his 100th since joining the Dodgers.

On the mound, Dodgers starter Emmet Sheehan pitched 4 2/3 innings, allowing one run on six hits. The Dodgers' bullpen then took over, with Alex Vesia recording the final out of the fifth inning and Tanner Scott closing out the game for his third save.

Braves pitcher Chris Sale pitched seven innings, giving up three runs, two earned, on five hits. The Braves, who recently lost a series to Seattle, saw their road trip record fall to 4-3.

BNN's Perspective: This game highlights the Dodgers' ability to capitalize on key moments and their depth in both offense and pitching. While the Braves have shown consistent strength this season, the Dodgers' resilience and the timely hitting of players like Ohtani and Freeman proved decisive. This victory sets a positive tone for the Dodgers' upcoming homestand, and it will be interesting to see how both teams continue to perform throughout the season.

Keywords: Dodgers, Braves, Freddie Freeman, Shohei Ohtani, Chris Sale, Emmet Sheehan, Austin Riley, home run, baseball, MLB, victory, game, pitching, hitting, save

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