Steve Webb
Game 119, 8/12/2024: Dodgers 5, Brewers 2
MILWAUKEE, WI — Breaking news: the Dodgers are a better team with Mookie Betts in the lineup. The team secured a 5-2 victory on Monday night against the Milwaukee Brewers, highlighted by Clayton Kershaw‘s impressive pitching performance and the triumphant return of Betts. The game, played at American Family Field, marked a crucial moment in the Dodgers’ season, with both superstars Kershaw and Betts playing pivotal roles in the win.
Kershaw delivered a masterful performance on the mound, his best of the season so far. He pitched 5.2 innings, allowing only four hits and no earned runs while on the mound, while striking out six. He got dinged for one earned run on a homer given up by Joe Kelly in the sixth, but other than that, zeros all the way down the scorecard. Kershaw’s control was on full display, as he kept the Brewers’ lineup off-balance throughout the game. His performance was crucial in setting the tone early, preventing the Brewers from gaining any momentum. Kershaw’s performance was his second strong outing in a row. It’s looking more and more like that blowup in San Diego was the outlier.
However, the spotlight of the evening belonged to Mookie Betts, who made a dramatic return to the lineup after being activated off the Injured List earlier in the day. Betts wasted no time making his presence felt. In the top of the third inning, with Enrique Hernández on third base, Betts launched a two-run homer to left field, a wall-scraper giving the Dodgers an early 2-0 lead. The home run was a statement of Betts’ return to form, showing that he hadn’t missed a beat despite his time away from the game.
After an Ohtani blast made in 4-0 and the William Contreras homer off Kelly made it 4-2, Betts continued to contribute throughout the game, adding an RBI single in the seventh inning, driving in Shohei Ohtani to extend the Dodgers’ lead to 5-2. His performance not only provided the necessary offense but also energized his teammates and the many Dodger fans at the ballpark, who were eager to see him back in action.
The Dodgers’ bullpen, including Alex Vesia, Michael Kopech, and Daniel Hudson, followed Kershaw’s strong outing and the Kelly hiccup with solid performances to secure the win. Hudson earned his ninth save of the season by closing out the ninth inning, retiring the side in order.
No offense to Andy Pages, but with veterans back in the lineup, the Dodgers look like a totally different team. As the Dodgers continue their push towards the playoffs, the return of Betts and the reliable arm of Kershaw will be vital in their quest for another World Series title.
In the second game of the series, Gavin Stone will try to do something he hasn’t done in a good long while: deliver a quality start. Not since his shutout of the White Sox on June 26 has Stone gone the six innings and given up three runs or fewer, the requirments for that stat. Hopefully, Tuesday will be the day that changes. Righty Colin Rea (10-3, 3.38 ERA, 99 SO) will be on the bump for the Brewers, so we should see plenty of lefthanded bats in the lineup. Game time will be 5:10 PM PDT, so get home from work, and get those TVs tuned to SportsNet LA stat!
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