After an underwhelming offensive performance on Saturday, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ bats showed better signs of life in a 5-3 victory against the Texas Rangers.
Fueled largely by a solo home run from Mookie Betts and a three-hit performance from rookie Zach McKinstry, the Dodgers secured their second consecutive series win and a fifth victory in their last six games.
Betts opened things in the first inning, scoring from first base on a Gavin Lux double to left-center field. Two innings later, the Dodgers’ leadoff man worked a full count and drove the payoff pitch down the right-field line and into the stands.
Betts’ blast was his seventh of the year and second in the last four games. The homer also accounted for his 23rd RBI of the season.
.@mookiebetts showing off that oppo power. pic.twitter.com/CktgibnbN6
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 13, 2021
Zach finds the gap! pic.twitter.com/YN9Vw0myRf
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 13, 2021
McKinstry’s stellar day at the plate may have been the spark needed to break out of a slump he had been in since returning from the 10-day injured list on May 29. Since his return, the rookie had recorded just three hits in 23 at-bats and saw his batting average tumble from .281 to .234.
On Sunday, however, McKinstry reached base every time he came to the plate and drove in two runs in the process. It marked his first three-hit game of the season and first multi-hit performance since returning.
Both of McKinstry’s RBI came on a third-inning double that scored Chris Taylor and AJ Pollock.
Betts’ also scored the Dodgers’ final run of the game on a single from Matt Beaty in the seventh inning, bringing his run total on the day to three.
Walker Buehler extends streak to 22 games
After tossing six scoreless innings against the Rangers on Sunday, Walker Buehler has now pitched in 22 consecutive regular starts without receiving a loss. Postseason included, that streaks stands at 29.
“To me that’s a team number,” Buehler stated. “That doesn’t happen unless the offense has saved me a bunch of times, which they have. There’s a little bit of pride involved in that and trying to go and compete and get deep enough to avoid that kind of stuff. But really, I think that’s a credit to the team and offense we have.”
Buehler has looked sharp all year for the Dodgers, to this point boasting a career-best 2.38 ERA. In his shutout performance against the Rangers, the right-hander picked up his fifth win of the season.
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