Mookie Betts’ Big Hit

Introduction to the Game

Mookie Betts understands the strategy. That doesn’t mean the implication doesn’t bother him. Five times since Betts and Shohei Ohtani flipped spots in the Dodgers’ lineup late last season — Ohtani moving to the leadoff spot, and Betts to the two-hole — opposing teams have intentionally walked Ohtani to bring Betts to the plate. On almost every occasion, Betts has made it a regrettable decision.

The Game-Changing Moment

That was the case again Wednesday in the Dodgers’ 9-3 win over the Athletics; a game that was close until Betts broke it open in the eighth, coming through once more after a free pass to Ohtani. With one out in the inning, and Kiké Hernández standing at second base after being bunted over by Miguel Rojas following his leadoff single, the Athletics made the sensible choice. Manager Mark Kotsay elected to intentionally walk Ohtani, trying to avoid disaster with his club facing a 4-3 deficit. He instead wanted reliever Tyler Ferguson in a right-on-right matchup against Betts, whose up-and-down start to the season had once again been on the decline with seven hitless at-bats to begin this week’s series.

Betts’ Reaction

Ever since this phenomenon began last September, Betts has repeatedly acknowledged the logic behind it. “I mean, I get it,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to pitch to Shohei either. I understand.” But the more it has happened, the more Betts has seemed to take it personally. And on Wednesday, he let the A’s know exactly how he felt. In a 2-and-1 count, Betts got a fastball over the heart of the plate and drove it deep to the right-center field gap. Hernández scored easily. Ohtani raced home behind him. As Dodger Stadium erupted in celebration, however, no one screamed louder than Betts.

The Turning Point

Shohei Ohtani, right, celebrates with Kiké Hernández after scoring on Mookie Betts’ two-run double in the eighth inning Wednesday against the Athletics. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times) “Just let some emotion go,” Betts said afterward. “You’re just in the game, and you kind of get lost in it.” In his five at-bats following an intentional walk to Ohtani, Betts is now three for four with seven RBIs, including:

• A three-run home run in extra innings at Angel Stadium last September.
• A tie-breaking ninth-inning single against the Atlanta Braves a few weeks after that.
• A bases-loaded walk last week in Miami, doubling a seventh-inning lead from one run to two.
• And Wednesday’s double, which when combined with Max Muncy’s three-run homer three batters later turned what had been a close game into a six-run laugher.

Performance of Other Players

“To be quite frank, it was the right baseball decision, given how Mookie was swinging the bat [compared to] Shohei,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said, with Betts batting .263 to Ohtani’s .304 average. “But it was good,” Roberts said of the outcome. “Sometimes that kind of unlocks a player. It locks them in a little bit more when you take things personal. And for him to come through in that moment — it seems like when things like that do happen, he seems like he comes through more times than not.” Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto delivers during the first inning Wednesday against the Athletics. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Other Notable Contributions

Ohtani and Andy Pages both hit leadoff homers in the first and second innings, giving the team an early 2-0 lead. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (5-3, 2.12 ERA) grinded out a quality six-inning, three-run start even though his velocity was down a tick and his usually pristine command remained spotty for a fourth-consecutive outing. Hyeseong Kim also continued his hot start to his MLB career, leveling the score at 3-3 in the fifth with a wallscraping line drive for his first big-league blast. Hyeseong Kim, right, celebrates with Shohei Ohtani after hitting his first career home run in the Dodgers’ win Wednesday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Conclusion

In conclusion, Mookie Betts’ performance was a key factor in the Dodgers’ win over the Athletics. His ability to come through in clutch situations, especially after an intentional walk to Shohei Ohtani, has been impressive. The Dodgers’ overall team performance, including contributions from Ohtani, Yamamoto, and Kim, also played a significant role in their victory.

FAQs

• Q: Why did the Athletics intentionally walk Shohei Ohtani?
  A: The Athletics intentionally walked Ohtani to avoid pitching to him and instead face Mookie Betts, who was seen as a less threatening batter at the time.
• Q: How did Mookie Betts react to the intentional walk?
  A: Betts reacted by hitting a two-run double, driving in two runs and helping the Dodgers take a significant lead.
• Q: What was the final score of the game?
  A: The final score was 9-3 in favor of the Dodgers.
• Q: Who else contributed to the Dodgers’ win?
  A: Other notable contributors included Ohtani, who hit a leadoff homer, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who pitched a quality start, and Hyeseong Kim, who hit his first career home run.