The Los Angeles Dodgers scored 19 runs in their first two games against the Washington Nationals, and Mookie Betts was largely responsible for that.
The 29 year-old went 5-for-7 with one double, two home runs, four runs scored and six RBI during that span. He reached base three additional times via two walks and one hit by pitch.
Both of Betts’ homers came in Tuesday’s matchup at Nationals Park. After lining out in his first at-bat, he slugged a three-run home run off Josiah Gray to give the Dodgers a 5-3 lead.
Betts then homered in his next plate appearance against Víctor Arano. In both instances, one fan sitting in left field had a chance to catch the ball, but came up short. Betts’ first home run ball hit the fan’s glove before popping out.
Betts was made aware of the incident and asked Twitter to help locate the Dodgers fan.
I need to find this fan who missed this home run ball. Twitter Fam…Please help me so I can send him something special! -MB pic.twitter.com/O1xP1sotcb
— Mookie Betts (@mookiebetts) May 25, 2022
This isn’t the first time Betts went out of his way to make a fan happy. During a matchup against the Cincinnati Reds last year, Betts convinced a fan to give back TJ Friedl’s first home run in exchange for an autographed bat.
Betts is in the midst of his best season since 2018 when he won the American League MVP award. In 40 games, he is batting .292/.385/.578 with a .416 wOBA, 172 wRC+ and 2.7 WAR.
Roberts stands by decision to give Betts day off
Betts was out of the lineup for a scheduled day off in the series finale against the Nationals, and it resulted in the Dodgers being shut out for the first time since Aug. 29, 2021.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts acknowledged it was a tough decision to give Betts the day off, he stood by it in light of the bigger picture this season.
Betts did enter the game as a pinch-hitter in the eighth inning, but he was called out on strikes.
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