Ohtani, Betts, and Freeman Hit Three Consecutive Homers Against Diamondbacks

In a thrilling weekend series, the Los Angeles Dodgers, currently leading the NL West, faced off against the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. The Dodgers started strong, securing a tight 10-9 victory in the series opener on Friday. However, the win came with a significant loss as ace pitcher Clayton Kershaw exited the game due to a bone spur in his toe and was subsequently placed on the injured list the following day.

Saturday’s matchup began on an explosive note for the Dodgers. Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and Freddie Freeman made headlines by hitting back-to-back-to-back home runs off Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly. The home runs were impressive, with Betts’ shot traveling 400 feet, making it the shortest of the trio. Ohtani’s hit was even longer at 420 feet, while Freeman led the pack with a drive that traveled 437 feet.

This marked a historic moment for the Dodgers, as it was the very first time in franchise history that they opened a game with three consecutive home runs. Previously, the last instance of back-to-back-to-back homers by the team occurred on April 13, 2022, when Cody Bellinger, Gavin Lux, and Austin Barnes achieved the feat in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins.

Despite the initial fireworks, the Dodgers found themselves trailing by the end of the first inning. The Diamondbacks responded fiercely, scoring four runs in the bottom of the inning against Dodgers pitcher Gavin Stone, beginning with an inside-the-park home run from the promising Corbin Carroll. A misplay by Teoscar Hernández further compounded the Dodgers’ woes during the inning.

In total, the first inning saw an incredible seven runs scored, with four home runs hit—resulting in a remarkable only 33 combined pitches thrown by Kelly and Stone. The previous night, the Diamondbacks had also showcased their capacity for dramatic gameplay by scoring four runs in the bottom of the ninth, only for the Dodgers to hold on for the victory and secure the final out amidst a wildly chaotic finish.

With the Dodgers holding the best record in baseball at 81-54, they sit comfortably atop their division. The Diamondbacks, trailing by five games, also remain in strong contention for a wild-card spot. This series marks the final regular-season encounter between these two teams, intensifying the stakes as both vie for positioning heading into the postseason.

As the series continues to unfold, fans can expect a gripping clash between these two fierce rivals, with unpredictable twists and turns that have characterized their encounters this season.