Mookie Betts went hitless in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ comeback win against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday, marking the first time in six games this season he did not have at least one hit.
That also snapped Betts’ career-best streak of four consecutive games with a home run. The streak bested a stretch when Betts homered three games in a row against the Miami Marlins from Aug. 26-28, 2022.
According to STATS, Betts and Babe Ruth are only players to have at least nine hits, nine RBI, six walks, four home runs and a .600 batting average in a four-game span since at least 1920. Ruth accomplished the feat from July 28-31, 1932.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Betts joined the group of four players since 1920 to have an on-base plus slugging percentage over 2.000 and 10-plus RBI through his first five games. Barry Bonds (2002), Kal Daniels (1988) and Gabby Hartnett (1925) also accomplished the feat.
Entering play Monday, Betts leads the Majors in on-base percentage (.621), walks (seven) and home runs (four), and is tied for most RBI (10).
The remarkable offensive production has all come while Betts is adjusting to being the Dodgers’ everyday shortstop.
“I think the great thing with Mookie is they’re really two separate points,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s off to a great start because he’s off to a great start.
“And the defense, learning a new position, arguably the hardest on the field, doesn’t bleed into the offense, whether it be good or bad. I think he’s unique in that sense.
“You would argue that it would have to take some toll on your mental capacity to perform offensively if you’re taking up a challenging position like shortstop, but for him it just doesn’t get in the way. He’s done a great job of compartmentalizing.”
Mookie Betts’ Dodgers record
Also during the series against the Cardinals, Betts broke the Dodgers franchise record for most leadoff home runs. He now has 29 leadoff homers, which broke a tie with Davey Lopes.
In 2023, Betts set a new Dodgers record for most leadoff home runs in a single season with 12. The mark previously belonged to Joc Pederson, who hit nine leadoff homers in 2019.
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