On a night where runs came at a premium, the Los Angeles Dodgers mustered just enough offense to defeat the San Francisco Giants in a win-or-go-home Game 5 of the National League Division Series.
Logan Webb again was difficult to solve as he kept the Dodgers scoreless until Corey Seager’s RBI double in the sixth inning. The run was manufactured by Mookie Betts, who singled and stole second base to get into scoring position.
Betts went 4-for-4 in the contest, becoming the first Dodgers player to record at least four hits in a winner-take-all postseason game. “Obviously super important,” he said of being able to set the table.
“At the end of the day, we still only scored one, so he did throw a great game. Got to tip your cap there. But just trying to do my part and get on base, really. Just try and scratch a run across.
“Finally we did, and late in the game once we were able to get him out, I can’t say it got any easier, but I think everybody kind of was like, ‘Finally,’ you know. So that was good. But I got to definitely got to tip my cap to Logan there.”
Betts was one of the few players to see the ball well against Webb, accounting for three of the four hits he allowed in seven strong innings. “He’s one of the best players in baseball for a reason,” Webb said after Game 5.
“He’s a pretty incredible player and pretty incredible guy, honestly. He did a good job. He kind of knew the way I attacked him the first game and I tried to kind of do that the same way in this one and kind of just got to tip your cap.
“He’s a special player and there’s a reason why he’s so special.”
In addition to setting a new Dodgers postseason record, Betts became the first player with at least four hits and one stolen base in a winner-take-all playoff game since George Brett in Game 7 of the 1985 World Series.
Bellinger tied MLB postseason record in Dodgers’ win
After Seager’s run-scoring double in the sixth, the Dodgers wouldn’t score again until the top of the ninth inning, when Cody Bellinger delivered a game-winning RBI single.
It marked the 26-year-old’s third career go-ahead hit in the ninth inning or later of a postseason game, pulling into a tie Carlos Correa, David Ortiz, J.D. Drew and Pete Rose for most in MLB history.
Bellinger previously hit a two-run double against the Houston Astros in the ninth inning of Game 4 of the 2017 World Series, and a walk-off single against the Milwaukee Brewers in the 13th inning in Game 4 of the 2018 NL Championship Series.
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 more!