Mookie Betts hit an RBI single but it was a remarkable throw from right field that arguably carried more significance in the Los Angeles Dodgers defeating the San Francisco Giants in Game 2 of the National League Division Series.
With the Dodgers leading 6-1 in the sixth inning, Brandon Crawford blooped an RBI single into right field. While LaMonte Wade Jr. easily scored, Wilmer Flores was thrown out on his attempt to go from first to third base, ending the inning.
“Once I threw it I pretty much knew he was out at that point with what I got on the throw,” Betts said after the Dodgers’ 9-2 win. “And it was on target, so I knew I had a chance at it once I let it go.”
Betts’ throw getting Joe Kelly out of an inning with only minimal damage allowed the Dodgers to continue utilizing their relief pitchers as desired rather than in response to a Giants’ threat.
“Every out in the postseason is big and right there there’s just an exponential affect of getting another guy in,” manager Dave Roberts said.
“It was a big out because I know the Giants, they play with a lot of, they take the momentum and it sort of builds. So when you can kind of take the wind out of their sail on a play like that it just kind of resets things and so that was a big play.”
Betts kept cool
While the throw had the Dodgers’ dugout celebrating and social media buzzing, Betts jogged off the field like any other inning.
“I don’t get too excited unless,” he began. “No, that’s a lie. I do kind of get excited. But for that one I didn’t get super excited. It was just big to stop their momentum.
“At the time, it was just like more of a breath of fresh air or a sigh of relief just to get out of that inning there because they were building some momentum for sure.”
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