The Los Angeles Dodgers opened their weekend series at Fenway Park with a 5-2 win over the Boston Red Sox on Friday night, supported by a two-run home run from Teoscar Hernández and a strong starting effort from Emmet Sheehan. While Shohei Ohtani’s home run streak ended at five games, Los Angeles extended its recent consistent play with another victory on the road.
Oddsmakers had the Dodgers as slight favorites ahead of first pitch, with moneyline odds around -125, while the Red Sox were listed at +105. The projected run total was 9.5, with both teams combining for seven.
Ohtani, who had tied a Dodgers franchise record by hitting home runs in five straight games, finished the night 1-for-3 with a single and a walk. He struck out twice and fouled out in his final plate appearance. Although his power streak stopped, Hernández provided the key offensive moment in the eighth inning when he launched a two-run homer to left field, extending the Dodgers’ lead from one run to three. It was part of a two-hit performance for the veteran outfielder, who has now homered 20 times this season.
Los Angeles received five innings from right-hander Emmet Sheehan, who improved to 2-1 on the season. He allowed three hits and two earned runs while striking out five. Sheehan remained composed despite a brief challenge in the fifth inning and turned the game over to the Dodgers’ bullpen, which held Boston scoreless over the final four frames. Ben Casparius pitched a clean ninth to record the first save of his major league career.
Boston’s offense was limited to just five hits. Connor Wong doubled off the Green Monster in the fifth inning for his first extra-base hit of the season, ending a streak of 13 singles across his previous 90 at-bats. That double helped the Red Sox cut into a 3-1 deficit, but they could not produce more with runners on base. Sheehan struck out Freddie Freeman and Hernández in a crucial moment in the bottom of the fifth with runners on first and third, keeping Los Angeles in control.
Red Sox starter Brayan Bello took the loss, falling to 6-5 after allowing three earned runs on six hits through 5 1/3 innings. He walked two and struck out five, pitching into the sixth before handing the game to the bullpen. Boston’s bats were quiet after the fifth inning, and the team could not mount a late comeback against the Dodgers’ relievers.
Mookie Betts, the former American League MVP and longtime Red Sox outfielder, did not appear in the lineup. The Dodgers are visiting Fenway Park for the second time since Betts was traded to Los Angeles in 2020.
The two clubs continue their three-game series on Saturday. Boston is scheduled to send left-hander Garrett Crochet (11-4) to the mound, while Los Angeles is expected to start veteran lefty Clayton Kershaw (4-1).
