Dodgers do just enough to outlast Braves in opener
May 8, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) celebrates a solo home run with Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas (72) during the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images | Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers clawed and scrapped their way to some offense against Chris Sale to get the better of the Atlanta Braves 3-1 in Friday night’s series opener between perennial National League powerhouses at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers had only five hits in seven innings against Sale, but made them count.
Teoscar Hernández singled and Kyle Tucker doubled him home in the second inning. Miguel Rojas reached on an error in the fifth inning, then with two outs Shohei Ohtani singled him home for the first Los Angeles lead of the evening. Then, Freddie Freeman and his newer closed stance provided insurance with a solo home run in the sixth inning, his third consecutive game with an extra-base hit, and fourth in the last five.
Let it fly Freddie! Homer #100 in Dodger blue for #5! 🔵 pic.
twitter. com/IUzHsnuH7c — SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) May 9, 2026 That was Freeman’s first home run since April 6, snapping a string of 114 plate appearances without a long ball. Freeman now has 100 home runs with the Dodgers, the 37th player to hit that many with the franchise .
“I would have taken a broken-bat bloop against Chris,” Freeman said. “He’s one of the toughest left-handed pitchers you can face. He’s coming from behind you.
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