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Mookie Betts is going to be a Dodger for the next 12 years. Yeah, I really can get used to that.
As if you didn’t already know, Betts is really, really, really good at baseball. He showed that on Thursday night as he had his best game as a Dodger. For the night, Betts reached base all five times and had four hits. Three of those hits came for home runs. Although he’s only 27, Betts now has six career games with at least three homers. That ties him for first all time with these two players.
The only players in @MLB history with SIX career 3-homer games:
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) August 14, 2020
1. Johnny Mize
2. Sammy Sosa
3. Mookie Betts
His first homer came in the bottom of the second inning. In already his second at bat, Betts went opposite field 400+ feet for the homer.
RAKE CITY, DID WE STUTTER? pic.twitter.com/hl28UldwKx
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 14, 2020
His second homer came right after..... scratches glasses... Austin BARNES hit a home run. Yup. Everyone was hitting em out tonight! Anyways, Betts took this one to left-center for homer No. 2 on the night.
Which one of you asked for more homers? pic.twitter.com/KmWy5bq9He
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 14, 2020
Then, in only the fifth inning, Betts did it again.
NO ONE MAN SHOULD HAVE ALL THAT POWER. pic.twitter.com/fGOS7Qci0g
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 14, 2020
As if him doing that wasn’t impressive enough, here’s this stat to make it even crazier.
Tonight was the third time in his career Mookie Betts of the @Dodgers hit 3 HR in the first 5 innings of a game, the most all-time.
— Stats By STATS (@StatsBySTATS) August 14, 2020
Only one other player has even done that twice: Willie McCovey.#Dodgers
Okay, okay, enough of Betts. By the way, did you know he’s gonna be a Dodger for the next 12 years? Just wanted to double check to make sure we’re on the same page.
The offense tonight, well, they are officially back. They finished with 11 runs and 13 hits. Sheesh. Corey Seager returned from a week-long absence and hit a dinger in his first at bat back. Speaking of dingers, AJ Pollock hit his fifth of the season. He’s now second on the team in home runs. Who would have thought?
And yes, as I mentioned earlier, even Barnes hit one.
AUSTIN BARNES JUST HIT A HOME RUN
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHarrisTBLA) August 14, 2020
THE IMPOSSIBLE HAS HAPPENED pic.twitter.com/JWf0yYXhM3
Overall, the Dodgers were 4-for-9 with runners in scoring position and only left six on base. Ah, that feels so good to say.
The pitching
Lost in the offensive onslaught was the amazing pitching, yet again. Julio Urias started for the Dodgers and was excellent. Tonight was the first time since May 9, 2017 that he threw 6 1⁄3 innings, tying his longest outing of his career. The two runs he allowed came on back-to-back homers in the first inning, but he really settled down after that.
After allowing three hits in the first inning, Urias allowed only two the rest of the way. He struck out three and didn’t issue a single walk, essentially preventing the Padres from rallying any runs together.
Dennis Santana relieved Urias, giving the Dodgers 1 2⁄3 innings of scoreless relief. Jake McGee and Dylan Floro then combined to throw a scoreless ninth. I know, shocker right? The Dodgers’ pitching combined to throw 8 1⁄3 innings of scoreless ball after those home runs.
Thursday particulars:
WP: Julio Urias (2-0) 6 1⁄3 IP, 2 ER, 3 SO, 0 BB
LP: Chris Paddack (2-2) 3 IP, 6 ER, 1 SO
Home runs: Mookie Betts, 3 (7), Corey Seager (4), AJ Pollock (5), Austin Barnes (1), Tommy Pham (2), Eric Hosmer (2)
Up next
The Dodgers will head down the 57 to Angel Stadium to take on the Angels for three games. Clayton Kershaw (1-1, 3.60 ERA) will take the mound on Friday night for the Dodgers. First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. PT on SportsNet LA.