The Los Angeles Dodgers extended their winning streak to seven games with a commanding 10-3 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night at Truist Park. Home runs from Freddie Freeman and Shohei Ohtani highlighted the performance. At the same time, Roki Sasaki recorded his first Major League Baseball victory in a game delayed more than three hours due to inclement weather.
Before the game, oddsmakers listed the Dodgers as slight road favorites with most sportsbooks setting them at -115 on the moneyline, while the Braves opened around -105. The projected run total hovered around 8.5, a figure the Dodgers nearly eclipsed on their own during a productive night at the plate.
The game did not begin until 10:21 p.m. local time due to a delay caused by persistent rain and lightning in Atlanta. The delay lasted just over three hours, making it the latest start time in Truist Park’s history. Despite the late start, the Dodgers appeared unaffected, taking control early and never trailing.
Los Angeles built a lead with consistent offensive output across multiple innings, ultimately finishing with 12 hits. A four-run fourth inning helped break the game open, and Freeman later delivered the decisive blow with a three-run home run in the eighth inning off reliever Scott Blewett. Freeman finished the game with four runs batted in, continuing his strong season against his former team.
Ohtani also played a pivotal role offensively, connecting for a solo home run that contributed to the Dodgers’ early lead. The slugger, limited to designated hitting duties this season due to recovery from elbow surgery, participated in a bullpen session before the game. Although he has not yet faced live hitters or thrown sliders, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts noted that Ohtani appeared to increase his velocity, a positive sign as he continues his progression toward returning to a two-way role.
Roki Sasaki, making his seventh start since transitioning from Nippon Professional Baseball to MLB, was credited with the win. The 23-year-old right-hander allowed three runs on six hits across five innings. Although he surrendered a home run to Atlanta’s Ozzie Albies, Sasaki benefited from strong run support and avoided high-pressure situations for much of his outing. The win marked a milestone in his young career and further solidified his place in the Dodgers’ starting rotation.
Atlanta’s offense was limited to scattered scoring opportunities, and starter Spencer Schwellenbach struggled from the outset. The right-hander was pulled after 3.2 innings, having allowed six runs, five of which were earned, on eight hits. His outing was marred by early control issues and an inability to keep Dodgers hitters off balance.
The Braves, now 0-5 against the Dodgers this season following a three-game sweep in Los Angeles earlier this year, continued to struggle offensively and on the mound. With Saturday’s defeat, Atlanta extended its losing streak to seven games against Los Angeles, including games dating back to last season.
The series concludes Sunday night, with Dodgers right-hander Dustin May set to face Braves right-hander Bryce Elder. May enters the matchup with a 1-1 record and a 3.95 earned run average, while Elder is 1-1 with a 5.33 ERA. The Dodgers will look to complete the sweep and maintain their momentum atop the National League standings. At the same time, the Braves aim to avoid a season sweep and regain footing after a tough stretch against one of the league’s premier teams.
