Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner rounds first after hitting a three-run double during the fourth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Huascar Ynoa throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman connects for a solo home run during the first inning of Monday night’s game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. Freeman’s home run was the beginning of another big night for the Dodger offense as they won their seventh consecutive game, 7-4. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman hits a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman hits a home run during the first inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman drops hit bat as watches the flight of his solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, left, circles the bases after hitting a solo home run as Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson watches during the first inning on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, right, circles the bases after hitting a solo home run as Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies watches during the first inning on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, right, acknowledges the crowd after hitting a solo home run as Trea Turner stands by during the first inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman celebrates his home run during the first inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman is congratulated by teammates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman celebrates as he returns to the dugout after hitting a home run during the first inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Huascar Ynoa throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, left, smiles at Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson after being forced out at second on a fielder’s choice hit by Trea Turner during the third inning on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw celebrates after the last out of the top of the fourth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Justin Turner is greeted by Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies after hitting a double during the fourth inning on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Huascar Ynoa, right, talks with pitching coach Rick Kranitz after the Dodgers’ Will Smith scored on a single by Edwin Rios during the fourth inning on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Trea Turner hits a three-run double against during the fourth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman loses his helmet as gets ready to score on a three-run double by Trea Turner during the fourth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman is congratulated by teammate Edwin Rios after they scored on a three-run double by Trea Turner during the fourth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, center, is congratulated by Mookie Betts, left, and Edwin Rios after they all scored on a double by Trea Turner during the fourth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman is congratulated after scoring on a three-run double by teammate Trea Turner during the fourth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Huascar Ynoa reacts before getting replaced during the fourth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Atlanta Braves’ Guillermo Heredia gestures as he scores after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies, left, hits a solo home run during the sixth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies trots past Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman as he circles the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw adjusts his cap after the Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley hit a ground rule double during the sixth inning on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies gestures as he scores after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw reacts after giving up a double to the Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley before getting replaced by Manager Dave Roberts during the sixth inning on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw looks at the scoreboard from the dugout after getting replaced while the Atlanta Braves rally in the sixth inning on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol celebrates after striking out the Atlanta Braves’ Guillermo Heredia for the last out of the sixth inning on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger hits a home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger heads circles the bases after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a home run during the eighth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dodgers relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel throws to the plate during the ninth inning of their game against the Atlanta Braves on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Atlanta Braves’ Alex Dickerson, right, is forced out at second as Dodgers second baseman Max Muncy throws to first to complete a double play during the ninth inning on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Atlanta Braves relief pitcher and former Dodger Kenley Jansen, left, acknowledges the crowd while being honored with gifts from his former team as Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, third from right, and third baseman Justin Turner, second from right, look on prior to Monday night’s game at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman hugs Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker after receiving the 2021 Silver Slugger award prior to their game on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. Freeman earned the award while playing for the Braves last season. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman, center, poses with his family and Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker and hitting coach Kevin Seitzer, right, after receiving his 2021 Silver Slugger award prior to their game on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. Freeman earned the award while playing for Atlanta last season. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, left, greets Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies prior to Monday’s game at Dodger Stadium. Freeman spent a lot of time socializing before his first game against his former team. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, left, hugs Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies prior to Monday’s game at Dodger Stadium. Freeman spent a lot of time socializing before his first game against his former team. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
From left, Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman greets Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson, and Braves coaches Eddie Perez and Eric Young Sr. prior to Monday’s game at Dodger Stadium. Freeman spent a lot of time socializing before his first game against his former team. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, left, hugs the Atlanta Braves’ Eddie Rosario prior to Monday’s game at Dodger Stadium. Freeman spent a lot of time socializing before his first game against his former team. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, left, talks with Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson prior to Monday’s game at Dodger Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
LOS ANGELES — Freddie Freeman was asked before Monday’s game what he thinks of the “Fred-die! Fred-die!” chants that have become a staple of games at Dodger Stadium already this season.
“I kinda like it,” he said. “But they’re chanting every time I come up to bat. Now I feel like I have to do something special every time.”
Uh – fine by them.
After an emotional pregame reunion with his former teammates, Freeman hit his first home run as a Dodger in his first at-bat against his old team. He didn’t see another strike in his next two at-bats, drew two walks and scored one of the Dodgers’ five runs in the fourth inning – the latest explosion from their ticking time-bomb offense and just enough to send them to a 7-4 victory over the Atlanta Braves.
“They did it again,” Freeman said after the game.
“It means a lot. … For a group of people and the fan base and my teammates, staff members, front office to rally around, to help me transition because I was with them for 15 years, 12 years in the big leagues. So I mean, we’re all humans, we all have emotions and all that and for 50,000 people every single night every time I walk into the box to make me feel good about myself and that they care about me, that means a lot.”
With the chants, Dodgers fans have shown him he’s “welcomed with open arms,” Freeman said. It’s an apt metaphor for someone known for having some of the highest hug frequency in the majors – they even recognized it with a “Freddie Hugs” bobblehead in Atlanta a few years ago.
“It’s been cool,” Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw said. “Maybe they kind of sense that it was a hard breakup sort of (for Freeman and the Braves) and they’re giving him the support he needs – which is pretty perceptive of the fans if that’s true. It’s been cool to see. I know Freddie appreciates it.
“Freddie’s just a good name to chant, you know.”
It has been a good time for chants. The win was the Dodgers’ seventh in a row after a 1-2 opening weekend in Colorado. They have outscored their opponents 47-13 during the win streak.
If opposing pitchers can hear a rumbling noise in the background as they work against Dodgers hitters, it’s understandable. The Dodgers’ offense has erupted for multiple runs in 11 innings over the first 10 games. Nine of those produced three or more runs. Five have produced five or more runs.
“I could get used to that. I’m not yet. But I do like that,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Those are big numbers that we seem to put up when we do score in an inning. Just a collection of good at-bats, good baserunning. … It was just a really nice collective offensive effort.”
The latest came in the fourth inning against Braves starter Huascar Ynoa.
Ynoa hadn’t given up a hit since Freeman’s first-inning homer. But Justin Turner led off the fourth with a double off the left field wall. He held at third when Will Smith singled to center then scored on Cody Bellinger’s ground out to first.
After Edwin Rios singled, Gavin Lux drove a fly ball to straightaway center field that had the look of a three-run homer but was unable to fulfill its destiny, finishing as a 390-foot fly out to the warning track instead.
But Ynoa walked Mookie Betts and reliever Sean Newcomb did the same with Freeman, loading the bases with two outs for Trea Turner. Turner had his 27-game hit streak end on Sunday, but he started a new one by lacing a three-run double into left-center.
He gave up his first hit of the season in the first inning (a single by Austin Riley) and his first run of the season in the fifth (a solo home run by Guillermo Heredia).
Unlike the drama in Minnesota, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts might have left Kershaw in too long this time. Ozzie Albies led off the sixth by driving a full-count fastball deep into the left-field pavilion, 421 feet from home plate. Matt Olson singled and Riley bounced a double over the right-field fence to end Kershaw’s night.
Dodgers’ Mookie Betts looking for key to turn around slow start
“I thought I threw the ball okay,” Kershaw said. “Just the sixth inning, their top of the lineup, facing them for the third time, my stuff wasn’t as crisp. I don’t know if I ran out of gas or whatever but they made me pay that sixth inning, for sure.
“Eleven out of 12 innings (this season) I’ll take. It’s just that last one was a little frustrating.”
Brusdar Graterol was slow to stop the bleeding. The Braves put up a crooked number of their own when a second run scored on a ground out and Travis d’Arnaud singled in a third to make it 6-4.
Bellinger added some breathing room with a solo home run in the bottom of the eighth and the Dodgers closed it out without reliever Blake Treinen.
Treinen has not pitched since the home opener when his arm started “barking” afterward, according to Roberts. He likely won’t pitch again before Friday.
“For us, just how valuable he is to us, we just felt that (we’ll) give him three, four, five days off,” Roberts said. “He played catch today, felt good. But we’re in no rush to get him back.”
Freddie Freeman’s first at-bat against the Braves?
“Clayton, he’s the greatest of our generation in my opinion left-handed. It’s special, I’ve watched it for a long time and now I get to play behind him.” Freddie Freeman on @ClaytonKersh22‘s 100th win at Dodger Stadium and his first home run as a Dodger. pic.twitter.com/g8fSL2GZmB
