Freddie Freeman hit two home runs and had five RBIs, Shohei Ohtani stole three bases, and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 11-6 on Monday.
Teoscar Hernández went 5 for 5 to help Los Angeles win three out of four games in a key series between NL West rivals. The Dodgers, who have won 17 of their last 23 games, now lead the Diamondbacks by six games with 24 games remaining.
Arizona and San Diego are competing for second place.
“Winning a four-game series on the road, especially against a division rival, is significant,” Freeman said.
Ohtani had two hits and two walks while demonstrating his speed. He stole second and third base on consecutive pitches in the seventh inning, bringing his season total to a career-high 46 stolen bases. Freeman drove in Ohtani with a sacrifice fly, increasing the Dodgers’ lead to 4-1.
Ohtani is on track for 50 stolen bases and 50 home runs this season. He currently has 44 home runs.
“I’m not sure how many games are left, but I’m really looking forward to contributing every time I play,” Ohtani said through a translator.
Hernández doubled and tripled as part of his five-hit performance. Will Smith had a two-run single in the seventh inning that made the score 6-1. Mookie Betts hit a two-run double in the eighth inning, pushing the lead to 8-3.
“Big hits and strong pitching,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “To finish this series with a six-game lead over these guys — we did our job.”
Dodgers right-hander Jack Flaherty (4-1) allowed one run over 5 2/3 innings. He gave up five hits, walked three, and struck out seven.
Los Angeles has won four of Flaherty’s six starts since he joined the team from the Detroit Tigers.
