Freddie Freeman hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the sixth inning and Shohei Ohtani pitched through a bloody blister to earn his seventh win as the Los Angeles Dodgers finished off a series sweep with a 5-4 victory over the visiting Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.
Alex Call, Alex Freeland and Kyle Tucker drove in runs as the Dodgers improved to 12-2 at home since May 13.
Freeman’s home run in the sixth off Kevin Kelly (4-3) followed an Andy Pages double and was his 12th of the season. Ohtani (7-2) gave up four runs on seven hits over six innings with one walk and six strikeouts.
Yandy Diaz had two hits and an RBI for the Rays, who struggled to a 1-5 record in a six-game road trip to the Los Angeles area that included a three-game weekend series against the Angels.
Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan gave up two runs on three hits over 3 2/3 innings as he struggled with his command and walked five. He also fanned three.
The Dodgers took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning on RBI singles from Call and Freeland. When Tommy Edman walked following Freeland’s single, McClanahan was replaced by Casey Legumina after throwing 83 pitches.
The Rays answered by batting around in the fifth against Ohtani. Victor Mesa Jr. led off with a walk, Hunter Feduccia doubled and Taylor Walls followed with a sacrifice fly for a run.
Diaz added an RBI single followed by a single from Jonathan Aranda. Cedric Mullins added an RBI single to tie the score 2-2 just before Junior Caminero’s ground ball scored Diaz to give Tampa Bay a 3-2 lead. The Rays scored one more time in the inning on a single from Richie Palacios.
The Dodgers got within 4-3 when Tucker walked with the bases loaded in the fifth, setting the stage for Freeman’s go-ahead homer an inning later.
Dodgers left-hander Alex Vesia pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning for his third save.
Ohtani was not used as the designated hitter in Wednesday’s game but had an at-bat as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning and grounded out. Ohtani took his regular turn on the mound despite dealing with left knee inflammation following his most recent start last week at Pittsburgh.
