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Freddie Freeman and Andrew Heaney were aware of the high standards they would be expected to reach when they joined the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers in the offseason.
Freeman has fit right in with his usual excellence, while Heaney looks better than ever so far.
Freeman had four hits and three RBIs, Heaney struck out 11 over six innings of one-hit ball in a scoreless home debut, and Los Angeles completed a four-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds with a 9-1 victory Sunday.
Max Muncy, Will Smith and Chris Taylor had RBI doubles during a seven-run fourth on another dominant day for Los Angeles, which has won six straight.
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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws to the plate during the first inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds Sunday, April 17, 2022, in Los Angeles.
(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
“Hitting is contagious, and when you’ve got a bunch of great players, that seems to feed it,” Freeman said after his 19th career game with at least four hits. “That just shows what this lineup is capable of doing. Every guy is pretty much a game-changer in this lineup.”
The former Atlanta star warmed up for the Braves’ arrival in Chavez Ravine on Monday with a pair of run-scoring singles for the Dodgers, who hadn’t swept the Reds in a four-game home series since April 14-17, 1975 — exactly 47 years ago.
Tyler Naquin had an RBI single in the eighth for the Reds, who have lost six in a row to start the season at an NL-worst 2-8.
Heaney (1-0) largely dominated Cincinnati with only his fastball and a newfound slider, posting his 15th career start with at least 10 strikeouts. He walked three and allowed only a third-inning double by Kyle Farmer in his first appearance at Dodger Stadium since moving up the I-5 from Anaheim, where he spent 6 1/2 seasons with the Angels.
“It was just really good to see him build on that last outing,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Today it was really fun to watch. He was in complete command.”
After pitching scoreless ball into the fifth at Minnesota in his Dodgers debut last Tuesday, Heaney retired the first seven Reds he faced. After Farmer’s hit, Heaney set down 10 of his final 12 batters while again relying on his breaking pitches more frequently than at any previous point in his major league career.
“I had a good feel for the fastball and the slider, and that’s what we went with for the most part,” Heaney said. “I think (my) confidence has grown with that breaking ball. You don’t want to get too far ahead of yourself, but I’m getting more confident with that, and it’s a good feeling.”
Trea Turner went 0 for 4 with a walk and a run, ending his career-best hitting streak at 27 games dating to last year. The 2021 MLB batting champion, who hit a 105 mph lineout to shortstop in the eighth, failed to get a hit for only the seventh time in 61 games since joining the Dodgers last season.
Tyler Mahle (1-1) struck out five before finding big trouble in the fourth, eventually yielding seven runs on seven hits by the Dodgers’ relentless lineup.
The Orange County native shut down the Dodgers early before five straight batters reached base to open the fourth. Muncy drove home Freeman and Turner before Smith and Taylor added RBI doubles.
Freeman chased Mahle with an RBI single, his second hit of the inning.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Reds: RHP Daniel Duarte went on the 10-day injured list with swelling in his right elbow. He hasn’t pitched since giving up two runs to Cleveland last Tuesday. … 2B Jonathan India missed his third straight game with a hamstring injury, but Cincinnati still hadn’t decided whether he needs an IL stint. “He’s going to get treatment today,” manager David Bell said. “It’s been sore, but not too bad. Still hoping to avoid the IL.”
Dodgers: In the club’s first roster moves of the season, RHP Phil Bickford was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Bickford had arm soreness before spring training and wasn’t ready to start the season in the majors. LA optioned LHP Garrett Cleavinger, who made just one appearance.
UP NEXT
Reds: Nick Lodolo (0-1, 11.25 ERA) is scheduled to make his second major league start in San Diego for the opener of a three-game series Monday.
Dodgers: A rematch of the NL Championship Series and a reunion game for Freeman and new Atlanta closer Kenley Jansen when the Braves and Dodgers open a three-game series. Clayton Kershaw (1-0, 0.00 ERA) starts for Los Angeles after throwing seven perfect innings in his season debut.
