Mookie Betts returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup on Monday and was a key contributor in the team’s 5-2 win over the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field.
The former MVP winner broke a scoreless tie with a two-run home run and later added an RBI single to finish 2-for-4 in his first game back from the 10-day injured list.
Betts’ return came with some changes as he started in right field after playing shortstop for most of the 2024 season. He also batted second instead of his usual leadoff spot.
Shohei Ohtani, who will continue hitting leadoff for the Dodgers, said he has been communicating with Betts to make sure they are on the same page, via Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“Overall there hasn’t really been much conversations about the lineup itself,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “But I’ve been proactive, really communicating with Mookie just to make sure that we’re in sync in our lineup.”
The first game with Ohtani and Betts forming a one-two punch at the top of the Dodgers lineup in that order can be considered a major success as the two combined to go 3-for-7 while driving in all five of the team’s runs.
Ohtani hit a two-run homer of his own in the fifth inning — his National League-leading 36th of the season — and also stole his 33rd base.
Monday was the third game this season that Betts and Ohtani both hit a home run in the same game. They previously did so on April 12 and May 17.
Mookie Betts prepared for lineup change
Betts was fine with lineup change as he believes the Dodgers go as Ohtani does. However, he did acknowledge there is a big difference with no longer being the leadoff hitter.
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