Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained what led to first baseman Freddie Freeman exiting in the fifth inning after getting hit by a pitch.
During what was his last at-bat of the game in the fifth, Freeman was notably wincing toward the dugout, prompting him to be suddenly replaced by Kike Hernandez at first base.
Roberts shared that Freeman had an X-ray on his hand, but it came back negative.
The skipper made it clear that he expects Freeman in the lineup on Friday for the opening game of their upcoming road series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Freeman, for his part, was smiling after the game, noting, “That’s what I get for swinging a pitch at my face.”
For what it’s worth, Freeman also said that he expects to be back on Friday.
Why Freeman’s early exit was so impactful
Freeman’s exit ended up being quite impactful, as the Dodgers started to mount a comeback in the eighth inning.
When he left, the Dodgers were down 7-1, looking lifeless against the Cubs and on the verge of ending their road trip on a whimper.
However, they stormed back in the eighth with two key home runs: a three-run shot from Max Muncy and another from Shohei Ohtani, his second of the game, for two more runs.
Alex Call ended up getting hit by a pitch as the rally continued, but with two outs, Kike Hernandez came up to the plate and struck out, ending the momentum.
Freeman, riding a 15-game hitting streak, would have been up instead of Hernandez if he had not left the game early, and considering how well he has been swinging, the veteran would have a better shot at getting a hit in the spot to keep the rally going.
In the end, the Dodgers fell short, with no more offense coming in the ninth inning, and lost the game 6-7 to the Cubs.
Luckily for the Dodgers, they did not lose their first baseman for any games, if Dave Roberts is indeed right and Freeman is able to play following some rest on Thursday.
One Response
With a day off on Thursday, why was Andy taken out of the game?
No moral victories though. The team is not playing well, and our starting pitchers can’t get back quick enough. Our bullpen has fallen apart.