On a tension-filled Tuesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers clung to a slim one-run advantage in the 10th inning. The managerial strategy from the Angels’ Ron Washington heightened the drama as he opted to intentionally walk Shohei Ohtani, setting the stage with two on base. This decision allowed Mookie Betts, who swiftly capitalized by smashing the first pitch for a three-run home run, adding to his impressive stats post-injury. It marked Betts’ fifth homer in 21 games since his return from a broken hand, underscoring his critical role this season.
Betts boasts impressive numbers: a .344 average with runners on base, .377 with runners in scoring position, and an exceptional .579 when making first-pitch contact in these scenarios. He also has a .424 average with two outs and runners in scoring position, hits .400 from the 10th inning onward, and .432 when facing the first pitch in an at-bat. His jubilation was evident as he rounded the bases, a rare emotional display for him which he acknowledged post-game, noting the strategic walk to Ohtani motivated his performance.
The game had additional spotlight as it was Ohtani’s first regular-season appearance at Angel Stadium after his headline-grabbing $700 million move to the Angels. Ohtani himself wasn’t surprised by Betts’ clutch performance, reflecting the team’s reliance on his timely hitting.
This event marked just the third occasion in Betts’ career where the batter before him was intentionally walked, a scenario reminiscent of his Red Sox days when David Ortiz was often the targeted batter. Dodgers’ pitcher Walker Buehler humorously commented on the high-stakes decision to walk the $700 million man to pitch to Betts, who himself commands a hefty $350 million.
The Dodgers have been excelling lately, securing 18 wins in their last 24 games and stretching their lead in the National League West to 5.5 games as of Wednesday. Manager Dave Roberts reflected on the team’s strong performances, emphasizing their continued intensity and focus in games against competitive teams, signifying they are peaking at the right moment. With their victory over the Angels, the Dodgers demonstrated their formidable presence as they power through the season.
