Steve Webb
BOSTON, MA — Because of course. Of course Mookie Betts hit a key home run. Of course he drove in three and scored two more. Of course. Because that’s what he does. Continuing one of the most scalding streaks in recent memory, the guy who used to draw a paycheck written by John Henry absolutely tormented his former employer, leading the Dodgers to a (relatively) comfortable 7-4 victory over the Boston Red Sox. The win completely an almost perfect return to Fenway for Betts, who had led the Sox to the promised land in 2018 before being dealt to the Dodgers.
This game started out with a lot of action, but not much scoring. The two teams traded punch and counter-punch in the early innings, but the game got through three innings with nothing but zeroes on the scoreboard.
That’s when the Dodgers finally broke through. It started with a couple of tin soldiers: James Outman hit a solo homer in the top of the fourth, and Max Muncy drove home a run in the fifth to stake the Dodgers to a 2-0 lead halfway through the ballgame.
But it was in the sixth that the 33,954 fans in attendance got what they paid for. Mookie stepped to the plate with two outs and Austin Barnes camped at second. Betts watched the first two offerings from lefty reliever Chris Murphy sail by, the first for a strike, the second for a ball. Then, Murphy threw a belt-high slider on the inner part of the plate that Mookie just turned on. Like he’d done so many times in a BoSox uniform, Betts sent this ball high over the Green Monster in left for his 35 home run of the year. The two-run job gave the Dodgers a 4-0 lead, and they could play prevent defense the rest of the way.
Gavin Stone, just called up from OKC was the pitcher of record in this one, pitching from the second inning into the eighth. Not sure why manager Dave Roberts sent him out for more in the eighth, but he coughed up a pair of solo homers before he exited stage right. Though the ending left a sour taste in the rookie’s mouth, no doubt, it was the best performance of his young career. His line for the day: 6+ IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 0 BB, 2 K. Well done, young man.
By the time Boston hit those last two dingers, the Dodgers had the game well in hand, having tacked on an insurance run in the seventh and two more in the eighth. The hitting heroes in this one were many: James Outman hit the homer and drove in a pair. Max Muncy continues to make solid contact and had another multi-hit game. And Miguel Rojas continued his little hot streak with a pair of knocks as well.
However, this game was all about that 1-2 punch at the top of the lineup. In addition to the homer, Betts got two singles in this one, going 3-for-5 and raising his batting average over the last 30 games to .425. You got to figure right now he’s the leader in the race for NL MVP.
“It’ll be cool to win,” Betts said of the MVP race. “It’ll be super cool. I’d be lying if I said it wouldn’t be cool. But the number one thing is winning the World Series, winning the division and playing well.”
However, not far behind is Freddie Freeman, who had a three-hit day of his own (his second in the series). Two of those hits were doubles, giving Freeman an even 50 on the year, which sets the mark for the “Los Angeles” Dodgers. The franchise record is only a handful of doubles away, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Freeman gets it on the next home stand.
“You need more than two guys, but the way those guys are playing, you don’t need much more than that,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said with a smile. “I’ve never seen two guys in recent memory play the way they have on both sides of the baseball.”
“They dominate the game,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of the Betts and Freeman duo. “Freddie has been locked in and Mookie is getting on base. It’s instant offense, it seems like, in two pitches, because Freddie is swinging and he has, what, 50 doubles. They’re tough. They’re a tough team.”
And now, after a 4-2 road trip, the Dodgers head for home and try to take care of business against two of the best teams in the National League. On Monday, the suddenly resurgent Arizona Diamondbacks come into town, finding themselves in the thick of a dogfight for the final Wild Card spots in NL. Then, after a three-game set, the Atlanta Braves roll into town for four games. The outcome of those four games might determine how close the race for the best record in the league actually will be in September. But, like every prizefighter sparring with a ranked opponent, the Dodgers are sure to be pulling a punch or two in September, hoping to use it for a knockout blow in October. We shall see. See you at the ballpark!
