Freeman lifts the Dodgers in 8th with grand slam

Freddie Freeman opened the second half of the season with a bang as his eight-inning grand slam lifted the Dodgers to a 4-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.

Gavin Stone pitched five solid innings, giving up one run, six hits and tallying three strikeouts while throwing 80 pitches.

Boston's only run came on a solo home run in the fifth inning, a 397ft shot by Jarren Duran, marking his 11th of the season. Nick Pivetta pitched six scoreless innings, allowing two hits and striking out eight batters on 90 pitches.

Pivetta left the game with a 1-0 lead, but the Dodgers' offense didn't come alive until the bottom of the eighth.

"We just didn't have an answer for Pivetta tonight." Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

Outfielder Miguel Vargas, who has gone hitless in his last 20 at-bats, drew a eight-inning walk. He had just made an outstanding throw from left field to help complete a double play to end the top of the eighth.

Shohei Ohtani hit a ground-rule double to left field, leading to an intentional walk to Will Smith and loading of the bases.

Freeman then smashed a change-up 371 feet over the right-field wall, securing the Dodgers' first win in the three-game series.

"Miguel's walk, it's a huge lift, and that can't go unnoticed," Freeman said. "I had an opportunity to drive in runs. That's all I care about."

Since May 21, the Dodgers are 24-24, contending with numerous injuries. They've received positive news about several injured players: All-Stars Tyler Glasnow, Mookie Betts, Clayton Kershaw, Joe Kelly and Yoshinobu Yamamoto are set to return.

Even though Glasnow was dealing with back tightness, he is showing promising signs of recovery. After missing a start and healing over the All-Star break, he pitched a few simulated innings Friday and he is scheduled for a Wednesday start against the San Francisco Giants.

Kershaw pitched four innings, allowing three runs on six hits and recorded two strikeouts during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City. He reached a velocity of 92 mph on his fastball. Despite conceding three runs, he is set to make his next start with the Dodgers, although the date has not been announced yet.

Betts began taking grounders Friday and is on schedule, but he is still not swinging the bat or doing major lifting. Betts has been out since Father's Day.

Yamamoto is making progress with his shoulder injury and is on track to return by late August.

Kelly was activated Friday but did not pitch, as the Dodgers bullpen held the opposition scoreless.

Left-hander Justin Wrobleski (0-1, 6.30 ERA) will pitch for the Dodgers on 4:15 p.m. Saturday against right-hander Brayan Bello (10-5, 5.32 ERA).