The Los Angeles Dodgers closed out the first half of their 2023 schedule with a 10-5 win over the Los Angeles Angels to complete a season sweep of the Freeway Series for a second year in a row.
Prior to the offense again exploding, Los Angeles Lakers forward Rui Hachimura threw out the ceremonial first pitch for Japanese Heritage Night at Dodger Stadium. The Lakers re-signed Hachimura to a three-year contract that is worth a reported $51 million.
As for the Dodgers’ offense, Mookie Betts again provided a spark with his leadoff home run. Betts made Dodgers franchise history in the process with his 10 leadoff homers surpassing Joc Pederson’s 2019 record for most in a single season.
Play ball! @rui_8mura x @Dodgers pic.twitter.com/NgYNC7dDIX
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) July 9, 2023
MOOKIE IS UNSTOPPABLE. pic.twitter.com/UeIdvAkyKY
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 9, 2023
Maximum power! pic.twitter.com/dg1aF9XjsY
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 9, 2023
How many ways can we say our All-Stars are ready?! pic.twitter.com/UqYU8Ol4l0
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 9, 2023
JUST DINGERS! pic.twitter.com/ko4dzqpEef
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 9, 2023
Get in, we're off to hit homers. 🚂 pic.twitter.com/Jvsyc1pWg1
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 9, 2023
Max Muncy hit a solo home run in the second inning, and a decision to intentionally walk Betts backfired. It loaded the bases for Freddie Freeman, who’s fly ball to left field dropped for a two-run double.
Will Smith followed that by driving in another pair on his single to cap off the five-run inning. Freeman then added a solo home run in the fourth inning, and Muncy further extended the Dodgers’ lead with an RBI single
After the Angels trimmed into the deficit during the sixth and seventh innings, J.D. Martinez and David Peralta hit respective solo home runs over the two frames.
Dodgers winning streak a Freeway Series record
The Dodgers have won their last 10 games against the Angels, which is their longest winning streak in Freeway Series history. Prior to the current stretch, the Dodgers won eight in a row in head-to-head matchups against the Angels from August 5, 2014-September 8, 2015.
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