Mookie Betts had the only hit the Los Angeles Dodgers had against Madison Bumgarner in their loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night, but it did make franchise history.
Betts broke up Bumgarner’s perfect game in the fourth inning with a solo home run that cut the Diamondbacks’ lead to 5-1. It was one of only three hits the Dodgers had during the game.
Nonetheless, Betts became the first player in L.A. Dodgers franchise history to hit 35 doubles and 35 home runs in the same season. Betts currently has 35 of each through 130 games, with 73 total extra-base hits.
The accomplishment has been done four times in franchise history with Duke Snider last reaching the feat for the 1954 Brooklyn Dodgers when he hit 39 doubles and 40 home runs. Snider also achieved that mark in 1953 when he finished with 38 doubles and 42 homers.
The only other player in Dodgers franchise history to reach that threshold was Babe Herman for 1930 Brooklyn Robins. Herman had 48 doubles and 35 home runs that season
Betts is now batting .270/.341/.546 with a 150 wRC+, .378 wOBA, 79 RBI and 112 runs scored through 130 games. The 35 home runs are also a career high for him, three more than a previous personal record set during his American League MVP season with the Boxton Red Sox in 2018.
Mookie Betts among Dodgers players who don’t want to DH
The combination of Betts in the leadoff spot followed by Trea Turner, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith has proven to be successful for the Dodgers, but beyond their talent is their ability to essentially play every day.
Betts missed time with a right rib fracture and has received occasional rest throughout the season, but Turner was in the lineup every game until Sept. 2, and Freeman’s first time sitting came the day after clinching the National League West despite efforts to backtrack on an agreement with manager Dave Roberts.
Although Roberts could provide Betts, Turner and Freeman with some rest by penciling any of them into the lineup as the designated hitter, the skipper revealed the three players are against that role.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
