Mookie Betts continues his hot hitting for the Los Angeles Dodgers with a four-hit day in the win against the San Francisco Giants.
LOS ANGELES — Mookie Betts has been on a tear once the calendar turned to September for the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 59 at-bats before Saturday's 10-4 series win over the San Francisco Giants, the eight-time All-Star slashed .356/.457/.729 with six home runs and 18 RBI.
Over the last two games, Betts has been hitting in the leadoff spot with the absence of Shohei Ohtani (placed on the Injured List with right bicep inflammation) giving him a clear runway, and he's kept the top spot warm to kick off the home stand.
Betts went 4-for-4 with two RBIs in the win and has a total of seven hits in his last eight at-bats with two home runs and five RBIs.
"He looks great," Dave Roberts said. "He's not going to stop working, and just for it to come together has been great."
His outpouring bled to the rest of the Dodgers lineup as they scored double-digit runs on 15 hits and went 7-for-16 with runners in scoring position.
Sep 19, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) doubles in the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. -- IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThough Saturday's game was turned on its head in the fifth inning and beyond, it was more of a back-and-forth affair, as the Giants were able to tag Dodgers starter Tarik Skubal for four earned runs on eight hits through five innings.
The swing-and-miss stuff was not there for the back-to-back Cy Young Award winner, and even more so that San Francisco was able to crush four extra-base hits. Despite the four earned runs — the most he's given up as a member of the Dodgers — the Dodgers offense was keeping up with five lead changes.
A frustrated Skubal entered the dugout after his final frame of work, throwing his glove forcibly on the bench and cap towards the wayside. With the noticeable workload and a fresh bullpen ready to go, Roberts will give Skubal an extra day before making his last start of the regular season.
"I wasn't very good today, but the offense, defense, and bullpen picked me up big time. That's what good teams do," Skubal said following his outing.
Sep 19, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal (29) reacts after giving up a walk to the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at Dodger Stadium. -- IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectLos Angeles would redeem Skubal's efforts, exploding for six runs across the fifth and sixth innings — with some help from some poor defensive mishaps by the Giants — which was the straw that broke the camel's back that separated them from their division foe.
"It's been really good to see. Obviously, Mookie's a big part of it, but everyone else is doing their part, and it's been fun to see," Roberts said of the Dodgers' offensive production as of late.
Will Smith had a three-hit performance with two runs driven in, and Josue De Paula etched his name on the scoresheet by driving in a pair of runs and walks as well.
With the win, the Dodgers improve to 95-60 on the season and secure their fourth series victory in September.
Sep 19, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) runs the bases on the field prior to the game against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. -- IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThey will have a bullpen game slated for the series finale before having an off day on Monday. They are kicking things back into gear with their final home stand of the regular season beginning on Tuesday against the San Diego Padres.
Speaking of that series, there is "a good chance" Shohei Ohtani could be activated off the Injured List for it, per Roberts. He added that Ohtani hit off the team's Trajekt machine and was seen running the bases before Saturday's game.
