Dodgers vs. Angels Recap: Mookie Betts Returns as Dodgers Win Battle of LA

CAMELBACK RANCH, AZ — Like a bunch of veteran players on the team, Mookie Betts is on the slow train to Opening Day this season. The Dodgers played nine full games before inserting their star shortstop into the lineup. That all changed on Sunday afternoon as the Dodgers faced the Los Angeles (sic) Angels at the Dodgers’ home park in Glendale. So how did Mookie end up doing?

Knack Shellacked in First

Well, before he got a chance to hit, the Dodgers found themselves in a 0-3 hole, thanks to back to back homers in the top of the first off Landon Knack. Giving up homers has been a problem for Knack, and he’s going to need to clean that up if he hopes to pitch meaningful big league innings this year.

Trailing by three, the Dodgers got one of them back in the bottom of the first, thanks in part to Mookie. Hot-hitting Teoscar Hernandez started things off with a one-out single, which brought Mookie to the plate with a runner at first. And Mookie ripped a ball up the middle that seemed to be a sure-fire single. But alas, it was snagged on a great diving play by shortstop Oswald Peraza, and Betts had to settle for a fielder’s choice, as Peraza was able to flip the ball to second for the force-out.

Freddie puts Dodgers on the board

But Betts did score the game’s first run, going from first to home on a great-looking double from Freddie Freeman that nearly cleared the left centerfield fence.

The Dodgers got one more in the second on a sacrifice fly (not a great throw from ex-Dodger Chris Taylor), but were stuck behind by a run as the regulars started to exit the game in the middle innings. Mookie Betts did get one more at-bat before he left the game, a groundout to short, so he ends his debut with an 0-for-2. Should have had a hit, but oh well. At least, he’s back in there and getting reps.

Up to the Prospects

By the sixth, the Dodgers had made wholesale changes to the lineup, so it was up to the boys from the farm to carry the flag the rest of the way. They did just that. Outfielder James Tibbs III homered in the bottom of the sixth to tie it up and Kyle Nevin (son of former Halos manager Phil Nevin) singled home the go-ahead run in the seventh.

Relievers Look Great

The highlight of the game (other than that Freddie Freeman double) was the performance of four key relievers. Jack Dreyer pitched a scoreless second inning. Blake Treinen nearly got his head taken off with a line drive, but retired the Angels 1-2-3 in the third. Alex Vesia made one bad pitch that Trey Mancini turned into a near-miss foul ball down the left field line. After that, Vesia was unhittable. Three straight strikeouts on just eleven total pitches. Finally, Kyle Hurt, who the Dodgers are looking at to take down multiple innings this year, faced the minimum in the seventh, with a walk and a double play thrown in there. Good stuff on Sunday from the pen.

Next up: the Rockies

Spring Training keeps rolling on Monday with another trip to the Talking Stick Resort in Scottsdale, this time to play the Colorado Rockies, the only divisional rival that the Dodgers have yet to face. For what it’s worth, the Rockies, under new manager Warren Schaeffer, are playing pretty well this spring, having a winning record in the first week and a half. That’s not something we’re expecting to continue for long, but they do look like they put up a little bit more of a fight in 2026 than they did last season.

Game time will be 12:10 PST. That game, and then one more against the Guardians on Tuesday before we get to the highlight of the spring: an exhibition against Team Mexico before WBC play begins. Should be a good one. But first, the Rockies and Guardians. See you there!.

Have you subscribed to the Bleed Los Podcast YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows & promotions, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!