MLB/ Freeman’s grand slam,japan vs iran Yamamoto’s solid start power Dodgers to 6-4 victory over Diamondbacks

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

May 21, 2024 at 14:35 JST

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Los Angeles Sparks' Cameron Brink, left, and Rickea Jackson, right, throw the ceremonial first pitches before a baseball game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks, May 20, 2024, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)

LOS ANGELES--Freddie Freeman’s grand slam keyed a six-run third inning, Yoshinobu Yamamoto had a strong start and the Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak to four with a 6-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night.

Freeman’s blast off Slade Cecconi (1-4) was part of an onslaught where the first six Dodgers got aboard and scored in the third.

Kiké Hernández and Will Smith also went deep in the inning as Los Angeles improved to 33-17. It is the ninth time in franchise history the Dodgers have at least 33 wins after 50 games.

Arizona’s Ketel Marte extended his hitting streak to 19 games with a single in the first inning. It is the longest run in the majors this season and tied for fifth-longest in franchise history.

Kyle Newman added three hits, his fifth multi-hit effort in the last nine games. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Jake McCarthy homered but the Diamondbacks have dropped four of six.

Yamamoto (5-1) allowed two runs on seven hits and struck out eight in 6 1/3 innings. He threw a season-high 100 pitches, including 69 strikes.

Daniel Hudson retired the side in the ninth for his third save in five opportunities.

It was the sixth grand slam in Freeman’s career and his third since the start of last season. He is one of seven players with three over the past two seasons.

The Dodgers are the only team in the majors with two players with at least three grand slams since the start of 2023. Max Muncy leads the team with four.

It didn’t take the Dodgers long to respond after the Diamondbacks opened the scoring on Joc Pederson’s RBI base hit to center.

Hernández led off the inning with a drive to center to tie it at 1-all. Miguel Rojas and Mookie Betts followed with singles before Shohei Ohtani drew a walk to load the bases.

Freeman then got hold of Cecconi’s fastball that was low in the strike zone and put it over the wall in right-center for his fifth homer of the year. It also was the third grand slam this season for the Dodgers.

Five pitches later, Smith added a solo shot to left-center, marking the second time this season the Dodgers have had back-to-back homers.

Yamamoto’s night ended when Newman’s RBI base hit up the middle to bring Arizona within 6-2.

Gurriel Jr. and McCarthy’s solo shots in the eighth were the second time the Diamondbacks have hit back-to-back homers this season.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Diamondbacks: OF Alek Thomas (strained left hamstring) has started pool running and taking live at-bats.

Dodgers: RHP Evan Phillips (right hamstring strain) is expected to have a two- to three-game rehab assignment sometime this week. ... RHP Bobby Miller (right shoulder inflammation) will throw a three-inning simulated game Tuesday.

UP NEXT

Arizona RHP Brandon Pfaadt (1-3, 4.17 ERA) takes on Los Angeles RHP Gavin Stone (4-1, 3.27 ERA) in Tuesday’s middle game of the series.