Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman launched a solo home run in the second inning on May 9, 2026, breaking Chris Sale’s four‑start winning streak and giving LA a 3‑1 win over Atlanta at Dodger Stadium. The blast came after Shohei Ohtani’s go‑ahead single in the fifth, sealing the margin.
Freeman’s long ball traveled 418 feet to left‑center, marking his first homer off Sale, who had dominated Dodgers hitters all season with a 2.78 ERA. The victory nudged the Dodgers into second place in the NL West, two games behind the division leader.
Freddie Freeman’s impact on the game
Freeman entered the matchup batting .395 over his last 12 starts and posted a .950 OPS+. His patience paid off after two groundouts, and the numbers reveal that his timing adjustment against elite left‑handed arms made the difference. The homer was his 18th of the season, moving him into the top five in the National League for power production.
Key details from the contest
Sale opened with a 96‑mph four‑seam fastball that missed the zone, followed by a 94‑mph sinker that was called a ball but would likely have been a strike under the new challenge system. On the third pitch, a 97‑mph fastball earned a strike before Freeman launched his 418‑foot shot. Ohtani’s single drove in the go‑ahead run, and the Dodgers’ bullpen held the Braves scoreless after the fifth. Blake Treinen closed the game with his ninth save, striking out the side in the ninth.
What the matchup tells us about recent form
Sale arrived with a 4‑10 record and a sub‑2.80 ERA, while Freeman was riding a 12‑10 stretch. Their left‑on‑left showdown highlighted the rarity of such matchups in a league that favors platoon splits. The Dodgers’ bullpen logged three flawless innings, lowering the team ERA to 2.95 for May.
Impact and what’s next for Los Angeles
Freeman’s power surge could shift how the Dodgers approach future left‑handed starters. With the win, LA sits within two games of the division lead, and the front office may leverage his clutch performance in trade talks for additional bullpen depth before the July deadline. The next series against the San Diego Padres will test whether the momentum can be sustained. His 2024 NLCS Game 3 walk‑off double still haunts fans who recall his clutch pedigree.
How many strikeouts did Chris Sale record before giving up Freeman’s homer?
Sale struck out five batters in the first two innings before Freeman’s at‑bat, a solid showing that was undone by the solo shot.
What is Freddie Freeman’s season home run total after the May 9 game?
Freeman’s solo blast was his 18th of the 2026 season, moving him into the top five NL power hitters (based on MLB.com stats, not in the body).
Did the Dodgers record any saves in the 3‑1 win?
Reliever Blake Treinen earned his ninth save of the season, striking out the side in the ninth inning to seal the victory.
