Mookie Betts had another three-hit game but exited due to right hip irritation before the Los Angeles Dodgers could guarantee themselves a series victory at Coors Field with a 9-2 win over the Colorado Rockies.
Betts again opened the game with a double and it led to the Dodgers taking a 1-0 lead on Max Muncy’s base hit. Betts went on to finish the night 4-for-4 with three doubles and one home run prior to coming out in the seventh inning.
The first sign of trouble for the five-time All-Star came after scoring a go-ahead run from second base on Muncy’s single in the sixth inning. SportsNet LA showed a replay of Betts wincing in the dugout, though he did manage to play the field.
However, Betts was unable to break into his full gait when a fly ball to right-center field dropped because Garrett Hampson and Charlie Blackmon collided. Betts limped off the field after a brief conversation with a Dodgers trainer.
L.A. added to their lead on Muncy’s leadoff home run in the eighth inning and he clubbed a two-run homer in the ninth to break the game open. While Betts was a catalyst for the offense, Muncy went 4-for-5 with the two home runs and a career-high five RBI.
On the pitching front, Walker Buehler settled into his outing after laboring in the second inning. He limited the damage to one run and allowed another in the third but blanked the Rockies from there.
Buehler ended his night by retiring the final 13 batters faced to get through seven innings of work.
Blake Treinen and Darien Nuñez combined for the final six outs of the game.
Dodgers gain on Giants
Although there is some injury concern with Betts, the Dodgers picked up a full game on the National League West-leading San Francisco Giants. As a result the Giants’ lead in the division is down to one game entering play Sunday.
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