Mookie Betts has been among the Los Angeles Dodgers yet to find much consistency this season, but appears to be more comfortable at the plate over the past 10 days.
The latest indication came in the form of a multi-hit effort and game-high four RBI in a win over the L.A. Angels. Betts now has one double, one home run, five RBI and two walks through the first two games of the Freeway Series.
“Things come and go, but I think I’m in a decent spot to go out and compete,” Betts said after the Dodgers hung on for a 14-11 win. “Working hard, trying to get back to a normal feeling. Like I said earlier, it’s just trying to get on a wave and ride it.”
Over his past nine games, Betts is 12-for-37 (.324) with three doubles, two homers and eight RBI. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts mentioned the 28-year-old, along with Max Muncy, as two players in particular who are swinging the bat better of late.
With the Dodgers blowing the game open to the tune of a 13-0 lead, Betts was removed in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Angels wound up fighting their way back by scoring four runs in the sixth inning and seven in the seventh.
By then not only had Betts been relegated to watching from the dugout, but Corey Seager and Justin Turner as well. “It’s the game of baseball. You never know what’s going to happen,” Betts said.
“That’s why you have to get 27 outs. They did a great job battling back. Obviously you don’t want that to happen, but beggars can’t be choosers right now. We’ll take any win we can get.”
Betts: Dodgers have urgency
Even with snapping a season-worst four-game losing streak on Saturday, the Dodgers have won just five of 19 games since opening an MLB-best 13-2. The team has not only suffered from offensive woes and bullpen trouble, but mental lapses as well.
However, Betts believes the team feels a sense of urgency. “I definitely think so,” he said. “It’s still early, but every game matters. We can’t lose that sight. We have to just continue to play and turn things around.”
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