Freeman hits grand slam in 8th inning to lead Dodgers to 4-1 win over Red Sox

LOS ANGELES – Freddie Freeman hit a grand slam in the eighth inning on Friday night and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Boston Red Sox 4-1.

Miguel Vargas walked before Zack Kelly retired Chris Taylor. Brennan Bernardino (3-3) was relieved and doubled to Shohei Ohtani. Will Smith walked to load the bases, setting the stage for Freeman, who hit his 15th home run of the season.

“It was a chance to drive in runs, that’s all I care about,” Freeman said. “You can walk anybody you want. That’s part of the game. It’s strategy. Sinkerballer, throw a sinker in there and I can roll it over for a double play. That’s the right move. Sometimes it doesn’t work.”

Dodger Stadium shook with chants of “Freddie! Freddie!” after Freeman hit his seventh career grand slam — his second this season. Fans called for a round of applause, and Freeman waved from the top of the dugout steps.

The Dodgers, who had lost six of seven games before the All-Star break, had as many hits (two) in the eighth inning as they had in the previous seven innings.

Ryan Yarbrough (4-2) earned the win after allowing one hit in the scoreless eighth inning and Daniel Hudson earned his fifth save after allowing one hit in the ninth inning.

All-Star game MVP Jarren Duran hit a solo home run off Gavin Stone in the fifth inning to give the Red Sox a 1-0 lead. It was his 11th home run.

Red Sox starter Nick Pivetta held the Dodgers scoreless to two hits in six innings, facing just 21 batters, three over the minimum.

Ohtani struck out the first, third and sixth innings before getting his hit in the eighth inning.

Gavin Stone, the Dodgers’ nine-win leader at the break, gave up one run and six hits in five innings, the eighth time this season he has allowed one earned run or fewer.

“Felt good. We ended the first half on a rocky note,” Stone said. “A good start in the second half was really important.”

Vargas made a nice defensive play in the eighth inning, catching a ball hit to left shortfield by Rafael Devers and then hitting a double off first base by Tyler O’Neill, a play that got the otherwise silent crowd back into the game.

The Red Sox had won three of their four games before the All-Star break.

DADDY’S DUTY
Freeman said he would hear the story of his grand slam on the car ride home with his son Charlie.

“The first thing he’s going to ask is if I have to do interviews,” Freeman said. “He knows if I do well, I have to do interviews. That’s the way of a 7-year-old.”

TRAINER’S ROOM
Red Sox: INF Tristan Casas (torn rib cartilage) did not travel with the team to Los Angeles. He has been out since April 21 and has no return date set, but manager Alex Cora said he is “a long way” from a rehab assignment. … INF Trevor Story (shoulder surgery) was with the Red Sox in Los Angeles and told reporters he is not ruling out a possible return.
Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (left shoulder surgery) has yet to pitch this season but made his second start in rehab on Friday. Manager Dave Roberts said he could make his next start with the Dodgers. … RHP Joe Kelly (right posterior shoulder sprain) was activated after being sidelined since May 5. RHP Tyler Glasnow (back tightness) threw a simulated three-inning game and expects to start Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants after one more bullpen. … INF/OF Mookie Betts (broken left hand) will have another X-ray in a few days to make sure the bones are healing properly.

NEXT ONE
Red Sox: RHP Brayan Bello (10-5, 5.32 ERA) earned a win in his final start before the All-Star break, allowing three earned runs in 6 1/3 innings against Kansas City. He allowed two home runs but earned his 10th victory.
Dodgers: LHP Justin Wrobleski (0-1, 6.30 ERA) was promoted June 22 and is making his third major league start. He gave up two homers in five innings in the Dodgers’ extra-innings loss to Detroit on Saturday.