LOS ANGELES — Behind the bat of outfielder Mookie Betts and a steady performance from multiple pitchers, the Dodgers picked up a much needed 6-2 victory over the Washington Nationals at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night.
Kyle Hurt, Ryan Yarbrough, Joe Kelly and Daniel Hudson combined to allow two runs over nine innings while giving up one walk.
With Andy Pages making his major-league debut, the Dodgers (12-8) had 13 hits. That included a 5 for 5 day for Betts, who tied a career record.
Here are three takeaways:
Betts shines in record game
Betts went 5-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. From the first at-bat, it looked like he was locked in on breaking the Dodgers out of their minor skid in which they had lost four of their last five games.
Betts has started the season among the league leaders in batting average, home runs, hits and RBIs. It was his best game of the year, his third five-hit game and his first since last August when he got five hits against Cleveland.
Pitching staff rebounds
Kyle Hurt got the start as the opener. While Hurt did have another great outing (called up to the major leagues on Tuesday), Ryan Yarbrough took the bulk of the innings. He went five innings, giving up the only two runs the Nationals scored, and struck out three.
After him, Joe Kelly pitched a one-walk eighth inning and Daniel Hudson closed it out with a one-hit ninth. Hurt has been on the radar as a potential breakout pitching candidate and has an excellent repertoire.
Pages notches 1st hit
Pages, the Dodgers’ top prospect, was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City and went 1 for 4 with a run. He stroked a singe hit to right field and he had two strikeouts.
Pages can be a difference maker to the bottom of the order. Besides him, the 6-9 hitters went 1 for 10 with an RBI — with Chris Taylor now hitting .029.
The Dodgers have yet to announce a starter, while the Nationals will send out Jake Irvin for the series finale. First pitch is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. Wednesday.
