Mookie Betts slugged two homeruns to help the Los Angeles Dodgers secure a 3-1 victory over the Miami Marlins. This game marked the 28th multi-homer game in Betts’ career, the fifth this season.
“Hitting a baseball is the hardest thing to do,” said Dodgers general manager Dave Roberts. “I just think that [Betts] had another gear tonight to show out.”
The matchup was also LeBron James Bobblehead night with the Lakers star in attendance. Betts saluted James after both home runs and James tipped his hat to Betts, both players gave their respective teams a championship in 2020.
“As long as we win, I don’t really care who does it, the most important thing is winning,” Betts said. “These are the days where you really have to lock it in mentally because you know you’re gonna be tired physically.”
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Julio Urías (11-6) pitched for seven innings, striking out five batters and only allowing five hits and one run, 68 of his 100 pitches were strikes.
“It’s that time of the season but it feels good, mind is really strong,” Urías said. “It’s obviously just attacking hitters and going in that mentality of going in that attack mode and going after guys.”
Roberts thought Urías’ change-ups and sliders were good throughout the matchup. He believed that Urías fed off of the energy of the crowd and of James being in attendance.
“It’s really encouraging to see someone like [James], someone of his greatness, of his stature to be in the stands and to motivate you,” Urías said. “For us to succeed and be able to put up a win in front of the fans, in front of him, it was exciting.”
Designated hitter Josh Bell hit a home run on his first at bat, but Urías kept the Marlins’ time at bat short. The Dodgers tied up the game when Kiké Hernández hit an RBI single during the second inning.
To start the third inning, Betts hit his first homer of the night. He hit his second dinger in the fifth inning.
The Dodgers’ fielding was sound throughout the matchup, they forced Miami to leave six batters on base. Second baseman Amed Rosario and first baseman Freddie Freeman committed a double play in the fourth inning.
Shortstop Miguel Rojas displayed his discernment and speed in the ninth inning as the Marlins found hits. Third baseman Hernández was the catalyst for the final out of the game, the Marlins challenged the play and lost.
“What [Hernández] did tonight at third base was spectacular, that last play, the probability, very low I’m sure,” Roberts said. “And Miguel Rojas is doing … he’s been a top few defender at shortstop this year and Rosario has just taken on that position over there at second base and he’s a joy to watch.”
The Dodgers will travel to battle the Cleveland Guardians in a three-game series starting on August 22 at 4:10 P.M.
