Dodgers quickest to 100 wins in 21 years

SAN FRANCISCO -- Welcome back to the 100-win club, Dodgers.

The NL West champs rolled to a 7-2 win over the rival Giants on Saturday to capture their 100th win in their 144th game of the season. In the process, the Dodgers became baseball’s fastest team to triple-digit wins since the 2001 Mariners accomplished the feat in 140 games.

While 100-win seasons are becoming commonplace in Los Angeles, it marks a first for 13-year veteran Freddie Freeman.

“Pretty cool,” Freeman said after the game. “Just means we’ve got a really good team and we still got some more ways to go.”

The division crown is already in tow, but clearly the Dodgers have bigger goals in mind, like the franchise’s eighth World Series trophy. Reinforcements are on the way with relievers Brusdar Graterol, Blake Treinen, Yency Almonte and David Price on the comeback trail, along with right-hander Tony Gonsolin.

With 18 games left, the Dodgers have a great shot to break their franchise record of 106 regular-season wins, set in 2021 and 2019. There’s still plenty of ball to be played, but the 2022 Dodgers have a chance to go down as arguably the greatest team in the history of the franchise.

“Obviously, we haven't really looked at it like that,” Freeman said. “Every night we just go out there and try to win a ballgame. And I think maybe when this is all done, we can take a step back and realize maybe the regular season's over and we got five days before the playoffs start but it is special, you know, when you come to the field expecting to win every single night.”

After Saturday’s win, the Dodgers lead the league in runs scored (5.42 per game) and team ERA (2.81).

“That’s going to get us to 100 wins real fast, huh?” Freeman said with a smile.

Dodgers southpaw ace Julio Urías continued his dominant 2022 campaign by striking out eight over six innings, giving up two runs (one earned). In the process, he lowered his National League-leading ERA to 2.27.

Urías is certainly in the conversation for NL Cy Young -- though Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara has been pegged by oddsmakers as the overwhelming favorite. Urías said he isn’t concerned about where he stands in the Cy Young race.

“No, no. My focus has been start to start,” Urías said through translator Juan Dorado. “Focus on the health, focus on being prepared for the next one. Obviously, those numbers are going to speak for themselves when the time comes. But for now, just staying healthy and focusing on my next start.”

Freeman sure thinks Urías is worthy of the award.

“If he’s not right there in Cy Young contention, I don’t know what that award would mean,” Freeman said.

Trayce Thompson hit a two-run homer in the top of the second to put the Dodgers ahead. Then they poured it on San Francisco righty Sean Hjelle, racking up three runs on five consecutive singles in the top of the third as part of a four-run rally.