The Los Angeles Dodgers bounced back from being shut out with an impressive power display to support Max Scherzer in a 7-5 win over the Houston Astros. L.A. earned a series split and kept pace with the National League West-leading San Francisco Giants, who remain 3.5 games ahead.
Michael Brantley gave Houston an early lead with a solo home run in the first inning but the Dodgers quickly went to work against Jake Odorizzi in the bottom half. Their comeback began with Mookie Betts’ leadoff homer tying the game.
After a Jose Altuve throwing error left two runners on base, Will Smith went to the opposite field for a three-run home run that gave the Dodgers a decided lead.
Betts added to it in the second inning with another solo shot. It gave him 19 career multi-home run games, three with Dodgers and a first this season.
SET THE TONE, MOOKIE. pic.twitter.com/99X1tGz7e9
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 5, 2021
Feelin’ like Will, feel like a prince. pic.twitter.com/a5gzjUCS0T
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 5, 2021
Two homer night? Call that Mookie magic. pic.twitter.com/h5LPx95cvv
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 5, 2021
AJ? Red hot. pic.twitter.com/O5mcPubccI
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 5, 2021
ICE IN HIS VEINS. pic.twitter.com/0wX9C0Y9dL
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 5, 2021
With the Dodgers still leading 5-1 in the third inning, AJ Pollock extended his hitting streak to 13 games and on-base streak to 22 games with a two-run home run.
Scherzer dazzles in Dodgers debut
While L.A. was adding to their lead, Scherzer continued to live up to expectations. Kyle Tucker did drop in a two-out RBI single in the fourth inning, but the two runs were all Scherzer allowed.
He tied a season-high with 109 pitches and finished with 10 strikeouts. Scherzer particularly delighted the Dodger Stadium crowd by holding Jose Altuve to 0-for-3 with three strikeouts.
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