While home runs and dramatic hits in the postseason often get remembered most, Mookie Betts and Justin Turner helped make memories for the Los Angeles Dodgers with their defensive play. Turner’s heroics are good for No. 2 on the DodgerBlue.com rankings.
After erasing a 3-1 deficit against the Atlanta Braves in the National League Championship Series, the Dodgers needed one more victory to complete the historic comeback and reach the Fall Classic for a third time in the past four years.
Atlanta took an early lead in Game 7 but L.A. tied it in the bottom of the third on Will Smith’s two-run single. The Braves pulled back ahead in the fourth and chased Tony Gonsolin, with Blake Treinen inheriting two runners with none out.
A wild pitch put both in scoring position, but the Braves were turned away by Turner. He fielded a ground ball and threw home to start a rundown. Dansby Swanson drew multiple throws before Turner dove to tag him on the back of the leg.
Turner then got to one knee and immediately threw to third base to nab Austin Riley for a double play. “That was huge,” Betts said after the Dodgers went on for a comeback win.
“I didn’t even see the backside play. Once he dove and made the tag I thought the play was over. They were still in pretty decent shape with first and second and out. For him to have the presence of mind to dive, tag him and throw the guy out at third, that’s huge.”
Corey Seager, who received Turner’s throw and applied the tag to Riley, didn’t give any verbal cues. “I didn’t even need to. J.T. is a baseball-savvy guy, man. He sees the field so well,” Seager said.
“What he did right there in that moment, it was a lot of fun and really cool to be a part of.”
Best Dodgers moments of 2020 postseason
No. 3: Walker Buehler embraces pressure in NLCS
No. 4: Mookie Betts makes trio of highlight-reel catches
No. 5: Corey Seager’s MVP postseason
No. 6: Cody Bellinger hits game-winning home run in Game 7 of NLCS
No. 7: Kiké Hernandez hits game-tying home run in Game 7 of NLCS
No. 8: Julio Urias closes out World Series
No. 9: Clayton Kershaw throws out Manuel Margot trying to steal home
No. 10: 11-run first inning in Game 3 of NLCS
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