The Los Angeles Dodgers capped off Reopening Day at Dodger Stadium with a 5-3 win over the Philadelphia Phillies thanks to a big performance from Mookie Betts in his first home game in front of a full capacity crowd.
L.A. took a lead in the first inning when Will Smith beat out a would-be double play to score Gavin Lux. Smith came to bat with a runner in scoring position after Lux and Justin Turner connected on back-to-back singles to put runners at the corners with one out.
The Dodgers got to Zach Eflin again in the fourth inning as Zach McKinstry’s double to the right-center field gap scored Chris Taylor from first base. Dodgers third base coach Dino Ebel elected for an aggressive send in large part due to Julio Urias coming up next.
It wound not being somewhat of a moot point as Urias pulled an RBI ground-rule double down the right-field line. It gave him a sixth consecutive start with hit or RBI. It also marked a fifth consecutive game with an RBI, which tied with Don Drysdale (1958) for the longest streak by a Dodgers pitcher.
Julio Urías is unstoppable. pic.twitter.com/Dqbj3k6zes
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 16, 2021
Wearing Mookie’s jersey and catching his home run ball? Simply the Betts. pic.twitter.com/HPI4A8j6E9
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 16, 2021
“Things are working out,” Urias said of his hitting. “I was going after that first pitch, luckily I got it and put a good swing on it.”
The Phillies pulled even again on the fifth inning by capitalizing on errors by Taylor and Matt Beaty. Betts broke the tie with a leadoff home run in the seventh, sending Dodger Stadium into a frenzy. He then added insurance with a two-out RBI base hit in the eighth inning.
Betts soaked in Dodger Stadium experience
With Tuesday marking the first time Betts played in front of a capacity crowd at home since being traded to the Dodgers in 2020, he “took it all in” early into the game.
“Obviously it’s a great feeling to know they’re finally cheering on my behalf,” Betts added.
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