Mookie Betts’ two-run home run in the 8th inning propels Dodgers to 3-1 win over Rays
LOS ANGELES — Mookie Betts hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 on Sunday to win the weekend series.
After Shohei Ohtani was hit in the left forearm by a sinker from Richard Lovelady (3-5), Betts hit the first pitch he saw from the left-hander over the left-center field wall to put the Dodgers back in front. Betts’ 13th home run of the season and his third since returning to the lineup after missing nearly two months with a fractured left hand.
“I was just looking for a strike to hit. I got a lot of strikes, especially early on,” Betts said of his first home run at Dodger Stadium since June 2. “I knew it was at least a double, which would have given us a chance to put one on the board. And so that’s all I really cared about. Just give us a lead and get into the ninth and finish it off.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game that Ohtani’s forearm tests were negative and he felt fine.
“We’re still holding our breath. Luckily, he was hit in the forearm,” Roberts said. “When you start talking about little bones in the hands and things like that, four to six weeks at this time of year, it’s scary.”
Kiké Hernández opened the scoring with his ninth homer in the fifth inning, helping the National League West leaders improve to 5-1 in their nine-game home series.
Los Angeles has the best record in the major leagues at 78-53, but is just three games ahead of Arizona in the National League West. The Dodgers next play a three-game series against Baltimore.
“These other teams are really in shape and they’re playing really well. So it was important for us to keep playing,” Betts said. “We just have to keep being who we are and doing the same things we always do.”
Blake Treinen (6-3) got three outs for the win after Gavin Stone struck out seven batters in seven innings for the Dodgers.
Stone’s only error came in the seventh inning, when Jonny DeLuca led off the game with his fourth home run. The home run to left-center ended Stone’s 15-inning scoreless streak.
Anthony Banda made his second save in the ninth period in a game that lasted just two hours and three minutes.
Hernández hit a Jacob Lopez pass just over the left-center field wall. Hernández also made a big defensive play in the top half of the inning, robbing Ben Rortvedt with a running catch near the left-center field wall.
Lopez, who was brought in from Triple-A Durham after scheduled starter Shane Baz was unable to play because of the flu, allowed two hits and struck out six in five innings.
“He was outstanding. I was happy for him,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “He got into position, had good rhythm and pitched with confidence.”
TRAINERS’ ROOM
Dodgers: Right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (triceps) will have his first rehab assignment Wednesday, when he is scheduled to pitch two innings for Triple-A Oklahoma City. … Roberts said pitcher River Ryan underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and is home in North Carolina recovering. Ryan is expected to return to Los Angeles next week.
FOLLOWING
Rays: Continue their road trip with a three-game series at Seattle. Right-handed pitcher Ryan Pepiot (7-5, 3.65 ERA), who is 3-0 in his last four starts, will take the mound for Tampa Bay on Monday.
Dodgers: The Dodgers open their series against the Orioles on Tuesday night. Right-handed pitcher Jack Flaherty (10-5, 3.00 ERA) will start the opener for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is 3-0 with a 3.22 ERA in four starts since being acquired in a trade with Detroit on July 30.
___
