James Outman hit two home runs, including a grand slam, and Mookie Betts got his long-awaited opportunity to play shortstop as the Los Angeles Dodgers started their road trip with a 6-2 win over the Chicago Cubs that brought them back to .500 on the season.
Max Muncy continued his improved hitting with a solo home run in the second inning that gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. The homer was Muncy’s eighth this season, which tied him with the New York Mets’ Pete Alonso for most in the Majors.
Perhaps more impressively, it was Muncy’s seventh homer in the past 10 games. His power swing and overall mechanics were unlocked thanks to incorporating a step-back movement, a change that came during a record-setting series against the San Francisco Giants.
Cody Bellinger tied the game with his own solo homer in the bottom of the second inning. The long ball was Bellinger’s fourth of the season, and second against the Dodgers.
Trading solo home runs continued in the third inning as Outman put L.A. back ahead. Outman started in right field and again was in the leadoff spot of the Dodgers lineup with Betts not activated off the paternity list until late in the day.
Outman then made his presence felt defensively in the fourth inning by throwing out Trey Mancini at home plate to hold Nico Hoerner to only one RBI on his base hit. That came after Phil Bickford entered for Michael Grove, who exited early because of a right groin strain.
The game remained tied into the ninth inning, which started with back-to-back base hits by David Peralta and Miguel Vargas. Jason Heyward worked a long plate appearance to draw a walk that loaded the bases, and Outman’s grand slam put the Dodgers ahead for good.
The multi-homer game and grand slam both were career-firsts for Outman.
Brusdar Graterol pitched the bottom of the ninth to finish off six scoreless innings from the Dodgers bullpen.
Mookie Betts takes over as Dodgers shortstop
Like with Outman’s assist, the Dodgers’ defense aided the bullpen again when Betts turned a 6-3 double play in the eighth inning on his first career opportunity at shortstop. Betts pinch-hit for Luke Williams before remaining in the game. He previously played shortstop 14 games in the Minors.
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