Mookie Betts gave the Dodgers the kind of leadoff jolt they have been seeking, reaching base five times and driving Los Angeles to a 10-4 win over the Giants on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium.
Betts collected four hits, including three doubles, scored twice and knocked in two runs as the Dodgers won their third straight game. The result left Los Angeles with a chance to finish a weekend sweep of its longtime rival.
Quick facts
- Los Angeles beat San Francisco 10-4 at Dodger Stadium.
- Betts went 4-for-4 with three doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored.
- He reached safely in all five trips to the plate for the first time since April 16, 2024.
- The Dodgers held a four-game lead on Atlanta for the National League’s No. 2 seed.
- Los Angeles owns a 1,293-1,292 edge over San Francisco in the all-time series, with 17 ties.
Betts has been locked in well beyond this series. His three-hit effort was his third in a row, tying the longest such streak of his career; he previously did it from July 11-17, 2021.
The three extra-base hits were his first in one game since July 7, 2023. His September line now stands at .397/.493/.794, and his 20 RBIs lead the club for the month. Over his last 39 games, Betts owns a 1.008 OPS.
With Shohei Ohtani on the injured list, the top of the Dodgers order has been in motion. Betts made the leadoff assignment look settled for a night, setting the table and then helping provide the separation himself.
Tarik Skubal worked through five innings and surrendered four runs, his highest total allowed since June 24. The Dodgers’ lineup answered, giving him enough room to finish the night on the winning side.
Manager Dave Roberts had recently pointed to a familiar late-season need as the club moved toward its 13th NL West title in 14 years: converting chances into knockout blows. He had liked the work from his pitchers, along with sharper defense and baserunning, but wanted more consistency from the offense.
“For me, it’s about putting teams away when we get those chances,” Roberts said.
On Saturday, the Dodgers did exactly that. Betts was in the middle of it from the opening spot, and Los Angeles kept its postseason position intact while adding another chapter to a rivalry that remains separated by only one game across its long history.
