When the Los Angeles Dodgers last faced Milwaukee Brewers ace Corbin Burnes, they failed to score until the sixth inning of a 5-3 loss at American Family Field.
That was quickly reversed in Burnes’ start at Dodger Stadium, as Freddie Freeman’s RBI single in the first inning provided L.A. with an early lead that they never lost. Trayce Thompson extended it with a three-run home run in the second inning, and the Dodgers scored another three runs in the fourth to chase Burnes.
“As you can see, we were aggressive early in counts,” Freeman said after the Dodgers’ 10-1 win. “That was our plan today, was to attack and attack early. It worked out for us.”
The Dodgers appeared to benefit from seeing Corbin for a second time in the past week, but their attention to detail and focus in preparation also were key.
“We obviously had a hitters meeting and we went over our at-bats and what he did to us last time. We just kind of harped on being a little bit more aggressive,” Freeman explained. “I took a couple of first-pitch cutters in Milwaukee. I wasn’t going to do that today. Max (Muncy) took a couple first-pitch cutters.
“So I think we just harped on just being more aggressive than we were in Milwaukee, and the second time through he started throwing more curveballs and I think it got him out of what wanted to do. I guess that would be a question for him, but our plan was to attack early in counts.
“We watched every pitch that he threw. It was replaying in our cage the whole day. So when we had our hitters meeting earlier, that’s all we expressed, was to be aggressive.”
Although two of them came on a double against Brewers catcher Victor Caratini, Freeman’s four RBI tied with Thompson for the game lead. Freeman additionally remains the MLB leader in total hits with 154, one ahead of Trea Turner.
Burnes joined Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcántara in recently failing to make it past the fourth inning against the Dodgers. L.A. scored a combined 13 runs off the Cy Young Award hopefuls.
“Obviously it’s exciting no matter who you face, but scoring 10 runs in games started by Corbin Burnes and Sandy is a little unexpected,” Freeman said. “Even for us when we think we’re still going to have a good day even though we’re facing those guys, but 10 runs is a lot. I think those guys are really good pitchers.”
Freddie Freeman helps start Dodgers Community Tour
The 18th annual Dodgers Love L.A. Community Tour began Monday with Freeman, his wife Chelsea and their three sons making stops at Garfield High School in East L.A., the Hollenbeck Community Police Station, and Solano Avenue Elementary School.
“I’ve been a Dodger for five months now, and it’s been a pretty special five months,” Freeman said of the visits. “So when they came to me a few weeks ago and said they want me to get out into the community, I jumped on it.
“We are very active in our family with giving back, so to start off the 18th year for Dodgers Community work of what they’re doing this week, I’m glad to kick it off.”
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