PHOENIX โ Tony Gonsolin delivered an impressive five innings without allowing a run while Freddie Freeman showcased his powerhouse batting with a home run alongside a perfect 4-for-4 performance, propelling the Los Angeles Dodgers to a decisive 8-1 triumph over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday.
Alongside Freeman, Mookie Betts also contributed a home run as part of the Dodgersโ batting showcase, accumulating 18 hits in total. The victory enabled Los Angeles to split the four-game series with their National League West adversaries. Coupled with San Diegoโs 9-3 loss to Colorado, the Dodgers reclaimed their slight edge at the top of the division, leading the Padres by one game.
Gonsolin, who was making only his third start following a hiatus from Tommy John surgery in 2024, threw 84 pitches, yielding two walks and securing four strikeouts. His performance reduced his ERA to an impressive 2.81, a much-needed lift for a Dodgers pitching roster missing key players Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow due to injuries.
Freeman continued his assault at the plate by raising his batting average to an NL-best .376. He initiated with a double off Zac Gallen in the first inning, bringing home Mookie Betts. Freeman repeated the feat in the third inning and drove in another run through a sacrifice fly in the fifth. His ninth home run of the season came in the seventh against Joe Mantiply, followed by a single off Josรฉ Castillo in the final inning.
Adding to the Dodgersโ offensive power, Betts launched his sixth home run, which came in the ninth inning against Castillo. Zac Gallen, pitching for Arizona, ended his stint after 5 1/3 innings, surrendering 10 hits and four runs, with two walks and five strikeouts to his name.
The Diamondbacks managed to put one run on the board when Josรฉ Herrera doubled, driving in Alec Thomas from first base in the seventh inning off reliever Ben Casparius.
A crucial play occurred when Will Smith delivered a sharp single past Gallen in the fourth inning, bringing Betts home and extending the lead to 3-0.
For reference, pitcher Josรฉ Castillo notably committed three balks during his two innings of relief. The major league record for balks in a single game stands at five, set by the Bravesโ Bob Shaw in 1963.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers will return home to face the Oakland Athletics, with Landon Knack, boasting a 2-0 record and 4.61 ERA, set to start against Jeffrey Springs, who holds a 4-3 record with a 4.81 ERA, on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks are set to face the San Francisco Giants on Monday, featuring Merrill Kelly (3-2, 4.09 ERA) against Justin Verlander (0-2, 4.50 ERA).