Betts’ grand slam ties franchise record in blowout win

SAN DIEGO — When Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman turned teammates earlier than final season, each superstars knew they had been going to be hitting atop the Dodgers’ lineup for no less than a half-decade.

That actuality has change into a dream for the Dodgers and a nightmare for opposing groups. On Sunday, it was Freeman who led Los Angeles’ offensive outburst. On Monday afternoon, it was Betts’ flip to ship the knockout blow, a grand slam to cap off an eight-run fourth inning in a 13-7 win over the Padres at Petco Park.

The Dodgers have hit 11 grand slams this season, matching the 2021 staff for the franchise document. It was the sixth grand slam of Betts’ profession.

Many instances this season, the Dodgers’ beginning rotation has dug the staff right into a gap. That was the case as soon as once more when the Padres exploded for 5 runs within the third in opposition to right-hander Tony Gonsolin, leaping out to a 5-0 lead.

But because it’s carried out all season, the Dodgers’ potent offense bailed out Gonsolin, who allowed six runs on 9 hits and one stroll over six innings. It occurred within the blink of a watch.

After not getting a lot going off Padres right-hander Seth Lugo via three innings, the Dodgers figured him out within the fourth in an enormous method. While Betts delivered the go-ahead slam, the eight-run outburst was a full-team effort.

David Peralta and Jason Heyward ripped key RBI doubles off Lugo to assist the Dodgers chip away on the deficit. Kiké Hernández stored the inning going with a stroll. James Outman, who went 4-for-4 and reached safely all 5 plate appearances to proceed his spectacular second half, singled. Up subsequent, Miguel Rojas flared an RBI single to shallow heart.

That all set the stage for Betts, who had punched out in his first two at-bats of the sport. But after Lugo fell behind 3-0, he was compelled to throw a heater within the zone to Betts, and the 2018 AL MVP didn’t miss it, blasting it over Juan Soto’s head in left-center subject.

Coming into the 2023 season, there have been some questions in regards to the Dodgers’ offense. The staff misplaced Trea Turner and Justin Turner in free company. Cody Bellinger additionally signed with the Cubs, and he’s having fun with a turnaround season after a pair of disappointing campaignswith Los Angeles that led to him getting non-tendered final November.

Through the primary 4 months, the Dodgers haven’t solely answered all of these questions; they’ve established themselves as probably the greatest offensive groups within the Majors. With the uncharacteristic struggles from the pitching aspect, it’s been the lineup that has led the way in which.

With the way in which this season has gone, there’s no purpose to suppose that gained’t proceed during the last two months.