Much like they have all season, the dynamic duo of Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman played a key part in the Los Angeles Dodgers coming away with a win.
On Friday it amounted to Betts and Freeman both playing a key role in the Dodgers’ 7-4 comeback win over the Boston Red Sox in the series opener at Fenway Park.
The rally began in the top of the sixth inning, when Betts led off with a double that extended his hitting streak to 13 games. Freeman then followed with a single that put runners on the corners.
Will Smith drove in Betts with an RBI double, and Freeman came around to score the tying run after Kiké Hernández kept the inning alive with a two-out RBI single.
The Dodgers took a decided lead in the seventh when Freeman delivered a go-ahead RBI double. The seven-time All-Star later scored an insurance in the ninth after reaching base for the fourth time with a single.
After the game, Freeman explained that he is trying to follow tone set by Betts at the top of the Dodgers lineup, per Juan Toribio of MLB.com:
“We’re just trying to do our job and help win games, win the division and win a World Series,” Freeman said. “Obviously, Mookie’s crazy on fire right now. I’m just trying to follow along, keep the line moving and score some runs. His August — pretty much his last 60, 70 games have been pretty incredible.”
Betts and Freeman are in the midst of MVP-caliber seasons, but have especially elevated their game since the All-Star break.
Betts entered play Saturday batting a stellar .389/.469/.648 with 12 doubles, eight home runs and 27 RBI over his last 35 games. Freeman has put up nearly identical numbers as he is hitting .389/.462/.638 with 17 doubles, six home runs and 25 RBI in 38 games.
Mookie Betts flourishing under pressure from Freddie Freeman & J.D. Martinez
Earlier this month, Betts explained said that he has found another gear with the help of Freeman and J.D. Martinez.
“Being with Freddie the last couple years, he’s definitely taught me not to give away at-bats,” Betts began.
“But I think the main person is J.D. He’s been the main one to just stay on me, no matter how good or bad I’m playing, how good we’re playing, what the score is. You’ve got to take your at-bat.”
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