06/24/22 09:48:00
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06/24 21:47 CDT Turner homers, Dodgers stop Braves 4-1 in Freeman's return
Turner homers, Dodgers stop Braves 4-1 in Freeman's return
By CHARLES ODUM
AP Sports Writer
ATLANTA (AP) --- Trea Turner had three hits, including a home run, Freddie
Freeman reached base three times in his emotional return to Atlanta and the Los
Angeles Dodgers beat the Braves 4-1 on Friday night.
Julio Uras (5-6) handed the Braves just their fourth loss in June, allowing
one run on three hits with nine strikeouts in six innings.
The Braves, who remained four games behind the first-place New York Mets in the
NL East, fell to 18-4 this month.
The Dodgers absorbed bad news for their pitching staff before and during the
game. Left-hander Andrew Heaney was placed on the 10-day injured list with left
shoulder inflammation. Right-hander Daniel Hudson exited in the eighth with an
apparent left knee injury.
Matt Olson led off the ninth with his second hit, a single. Dodgers closer
Craig Kimbrel recovered with three quick outs to earn his 13th save in 14
chances.
Freeman was in the spotlight for the NL West leaders in his much-anticipated
return to Atlanta.
The veteran slugger had one hit, a sixth-inning single. He walked twice and
scored two runs. Freeman, the 2020 NL MVP who helped lead the Braves to last
season's World Series championship, received ovations from fans in the sellout
crowd of 42,105 before the game and before his first at-bat.
Freeman was overcome with emotion in a pregame news conference as he said, "I
love the Braves organization with all my heart. That will never change."
Freeman shed more tears when he was presented with his World Series ring by
Braves manager Brian Snitker before the game.
The star first baseman signed a $162 million, six-year deal with the Dodgers in
the offseason after he was unable to reach an agreement with the Braves.
Turner led off the game with a single and scored on Will Smith's single.
Freeman walked and scored on Justin Turner's sacrifice fly.
Trea Turner hit his 10th homer in the fifth, giving him three hits for the
second consecutive game.
The Braves loaded the bases against Uras in the sixth. Ronald Acua Jr.
reached on an infield hit, moved to third on Dansby Swanson's bloop single and
scored on Olson's sacrifice fly. Uras struck out Marcell Ozuna to end the
inning.
Right-hander Brusdar Graterol, who replaced Hudson in the eighth, stranded
Acua on third base when Austin Riley hit into a double play.
Braves right-hander Ian Anderson (6-4) struggled with his control as he allowed
four runs in four-plus innings and was handed his first loss since May 22.
Anderson had six strikeouts with four walks, and 40 of his 88 pitches were
balls.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: Hudson was able to walk off the field in obvious discomfort. He fell
to the ground while attempting to react to a dribbler hit by Acua, who reached
on the infield hit. ... RHP Reyes Moronta was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma
City after Heaney was placed on the injured list. RHP Mitch White will be
recalled to start Saturday night's game. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said
Heaney felt soreness in his shoulder while throwing in the bullpen Thursday and
will be shut down for a few days. "I don't foresee it being long," Roberts said.
UP NEXT
Braves LHP Max Fried (7-2, 2.77 ERA) will start against White (1-1, 3.86).
White has appeared in nine games, including four starts, for Los Angeles. Fried
is 2-2 with a 3.30 ERA in six career starts against the Dodgers.
___
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