Mookie Betts’ three-run homer is difference maker in Dodgers’ win

The Dodgers won a thriller on Saturday night, as they defeated the Padres 5-4.

LA had a three-run lead in the eighth inning and turned it over to Blake Treinen. After seven dominant innings from Walker Buehler, the Dodgers turned to one of their best relievers in the bullpen. Treinen struggled, as he allowed two runs to score and allowed the tying run to reach base.

With one out and a runner on third, the Dodgers called Joe Kelly out of the pen. Some nights, you’re not certain which Kelly you’re going to get on the mound. Safe to day, tonight the Dodgers got ‘Joseph’. He recorded back-to-back strikeouts, getting the Dodgers out of the inning with the lead.

“For Joe to come in and pick him up is huge for us,” Buehler said following the game. “When Joe Kelly is healthy, he’s pretty electric. He showed it tonight.”

Kenley Jansen took the mound in the ninth, his third consecutive day pitching. It was the first time all season the Dodgers have called his number on three straight days. He looked pretty fresh to me, as he retired the side on only eight pitches, including a strikeout to win the game. It was Jansen’s 32nd save of the season.

Over his last 17 games, Jansen has allowed only one run and five hits with 19 strikeouts.

The Dodgers jumped on the board in the third inning and it was truly a thing of beauty. Cody Bellinger led off the inning with a walk. He then came in to score off a double from Gavin Lux, giving LA a 1-0 lead. Lux recorded two hits on the night.

Buehler advanced Lux to third base with a sacrifice bunt and Mookie Betts brought in Lux with a sacrifice fly. It was the perfect example of small ball, and I loved every second of it.

Speaking of Betts, yeah that guy is pretty good. He hit the go-ahead home run in the fifth inning, a three-run shot with two outs. It couldn’t have been done without Lux and Buehler. With two outs, Lux singled on a 3-2 count. Buehler then followed with a four-pitch walk, bringing Betts up to the plate.

It was his 20th home run this season and the fifth time in his career he’s hit at least 20 homers in a season.

Saturday particulars

WP: Walker Buehler (14-3) 7 IP, 2 ER, 5 SO, 2 BB

LP: Chris Paddack (7-7) 4 ²⁄₃ IP, 4 ER, 4 SO

SV: Kenley Jansen (32) 1 IP, 0 ER, 1 SO

HR: Mookie Betts (20) Fernando Tatis Jr (38)

Box:

Up next

The Dodgers will look to complete the sweep on Sunday. Max Scherzer will take the mound for LA, where he’ll need six strikeouts to reach the 3,000 strikeout milestone for his career.