In the Los Angeles Dodgers’ thrilling victory against the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday, Mookie Betts went hitless for the first time in his previous six games without at least one hit.
Betts’ career-high run of four straight games with a home run was also broken by that. The run surpassed a span that occurred on August 26–28, 2022, when Betts homered in three straight games against the Miami Marlins.
Babe Ruth and Betts are the only players since at least 1920 to have at least nine hits, nine RBI, six walks, four home runs, and a.600 batting average in four games. Ruth completed the task between July 28 and July 31, 1932.
Betts became one of four players since 1920, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, to have an on-base plus slugging percentage above 2.000 and 10 or more RBI through five games. The accomplishment has also been achieved by Gabby Hartnett (1925), Kal Daniels (1988), and Barry Bonds (2002).
Betts leads the Majors going into Monday’s game in walks (seven), home runs (four), on-base percentage (.621), and RBI (10).
All of this incredible offensive output has occurred while Betts is getting used to playing shortstop for the Dodgers every day.
Manager Dave Roberts stated, “I think the great thing about Mookie is that they’re really two separate points.” “He’s got a terrific start because he has a terrific 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.”
Betts broke the Dodgers franchise record for the most leadoff home runs during the series against the Cardinals. He broke a tie with Davey Lopes with his current record of 29 leadoff home runs.
With 12, Betts broke the Dodgers single-season record for most leadoff home runs. Joc Pederson, who blasted nine leadoff home runs in 2019, held the record before.
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