LOS ANGELES – Freddie Freeman’s grand slam capped a six-run third inning, Yoshinobu Yamamoto got off to 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 over Slade Cecconi (1-4) was part of a drive where the first six Dodgers got on board and scored in the third.
Kiké Hernández and Will Smith also advanced in the inning as Los Angeles improved to 33-17. It’s the ninth time in franchise history that the Dodgers have recorded at least 33 wins after 50 games.
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.
It was the 18th time in 27 games that a Dodgers starter went at least six innings.
Daniel Hudson retired the team in the ninth for his third save in five opportunities.
“Offensively, we’re doing enough to score some runs and win,” manager Dave Roberts said. “I think there is room to continue to get better consistency across the lineup. But pitching was the impetus for this run of success.
Arizona’s Ketel Marte extended his hitting streak to 19 games. It’s the longest streak in the major leagues this season and tied for fifth-most in franchise history.
Kyle Newman added three hits, his fifth multiple hits in the last nine games. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Jake McCarthy had back-to-back homers in the eighth, but the Diamondbacks lost four of six.
“I was very pleased with our approach. We built innings and had baserunners. We couldn’t get it right at the right time,” Arizona coach Torey Lovullo said.
Freeman’s grand slam was the sixth of his career and third since the start of last season. He is one of seven players with three in the last two seasons.
The Dodgers are the only team in the major leagues with two players with at least three Grand Slams since the start of 2023. Max Muncy leads the team with four.
“I’m not looking for the grand slam, but just trying to keep the line moving and hit a base there. Ultimately, I was able to pull it out,” Freeman said.
The Dodgers didn’t take 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 shot to center to tie it 1-1. Miguel Rojas and Mookie Betts followed with singles before Shohei Ohtani drew a walk to load the bases.
Freeman then grabbed Cecconi’s fastball, which was low in the strike zone, and hit it over the wall in right center for his fifth home run of the year. It was also 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 had back-to-back homers.
“I gave them pitches to hit and they hit,” Cecconi said. “Obviously they hit a lot of home runs and put a lot of barrels on baseballs and did it in the third.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Diamondbacks: OF Alek Thomas (strained left hamstring) started running in the pool and hitting live.
Dodgers: RHP Evan Phillips (strained right hamstring) is expected to do a two- to three-game rehab assignment later this week. … RHP Bobby Miller (right shoulder inflammation) will throw a three-inning simulated game Tuesday.
NEXT
Arizona RHP Brandon Pfaadt (1-3, 4.17 ERA) faces Los Angeles RHP Gavin Stone (4-1, 3.27 ERA) in the middle of Tuesday’s series.
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