In a dominant performance, Walker Buehler led the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 4-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Saturday night. Buehler, who is coming back from Tommy John surgery, pitched six sharp innings with seven strikeouts, earning his first major league victory since May 2022.
Freddie Freeman contributed with two hits and an RBI for the Dodgers, who have been on a hot streak, winning 18 of their last 24 games and now leading the NL West by 7 1/2 games ahead of San Diego. Teoscar Hernández and Andy Pages also had run-scoring hits for Los Angeles.
The Reds’ Graham Ashcraft (3-3) struggled, giving up three hits, three walks, and three runs over five innings. Despite holding the Dodgers hitless for the first three innings, Ashcraft couldn’t contain the Dodgers’ offense, with Pages delivering an RBI single in the fourth inning.
The Dodgers’ bullpen also shined, combining with Buehler to pitch a three-hitter and secure the shutout victory. The Reds, on the other hand, have lost 14 of their last 17 games and were shut out for the fourth time this season.
In other news, Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw took another step in his return from offseason shoulder surgery by throwing off the mound before the game. He is expected to return to the team in July or August. The Dodgers have yet to announce their starter for the next game, while Los Angeles native Hunter Greene will take the mound for the Reds at Dodger Stadium.