Despite a strong start from Blake Snell , the Los Angeles Dodgers lost the series opener to the San Diego Padres Friday. The Dodgers’ offense was stifled by the Padres’ pitching as San Diego won its fourth straight game and moved into a tie for first place in the NL West.

Padres starter Yu Darvish was brilliant against Los Angeles, allowing just one run on one hit in six innings. Darvish made one mistake in his masterful outing. But it wasn’t Shohei Ohtani, or Mookie Betts, or Freddie Freeman or Teoscar Hernandez who took advantage. Expand Tweet

Alex Freeland made Darvish pay for leaving an 81 mph sweeper over the middle of the plate. The rookie infielder belted the 2-1 offering, driving the ball deep into the right field stands for his first career home run.

Alex Freeland home

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