A marathon nine-pitch battle saw the superstar slugger outlast one of the Colorado Rockies' toughest arms, securing a pivotal series victory for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
By no means did the Los Angeles Dodgers have things easy against the Colorado Rockies.
Despite what their record may say, the Rockies came to play. There's a clear difference, on paper, between the 61-33 Dodgers and the 38-56 Rockies, but this three-game series proved anything can happen in Major League Baseball.
Colorado took LA to their limits on three straight nights, and even stole a win in game two of the series.
With the game being tied 3-3, heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, Mookie Betts played hero and guided the Dodgers to a 4-3 victory to secure the series.
Betts wins nine-pitch battle
The 33-year-old handed Rockies righty Antonio Senzatela his first loss of the season. Senzatela, 31, was 8-0 coming into Wednesday, July 8. He may have had four blown saves already this season, but none of those contributed to a loss. Finally, Betts was able to change that.
Shohei Ohtani struck out looking to start the inning, but three straight singles resulted in the Dodgers taking a 4-3 lead. Betts insurance run proved to be enough, but he sure had to earn it in a nine pitch battle that saw him foul off five pitches.
"It feels great helping the boys win," Betts told Dodgers Nation after the game. "I mean that's really all it is... Coming through in a big moment, it's like when you're a kid playing in the backyard. Getting that hit is what you always strive to do. Fortunately, I was able to do it."
Betts eyes a better second half
Things haven't exactly gone according to plan for Betts to start the 2026 season, but he's continued to show signs of growth and isn't going anywhere. The Dodgers haven't given up on Betts, far from it, and that's proven with manager Dave Roberts' comments after Betts was the hero.
"He's got some confidence again. He feels good physically. I'm happy with what he's done over the last month," according to Dodgers Nation.
Roberts continued, "I don't like giving away games like last night [game two]. In one game, it's still hard to win a Major League game."
The Rockies absolutely took the Dodgers to their limits, but this was a great test for Betts, and a huge confidence booster, as Roberts mentioned. This team still has the best record in all of baseball, and they're able to enjoy Thursday, July 9, off, before finishing the first half with a three-game slate against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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