Tuesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Dodger Stadium started like many other games have started as of late – missed opportunities early to drive in runners in scoring position.

That is until two-time All-Star and 2020 World Series MVP shortstop Corey Seager and two-time All-Star and 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger woke up the bats in the third inning with back-to-back doubles. Former All-Star and Gold Glove outfielder AJ Pollock didn’t waste any time when it was his turn at the plate, driving in the Concord, North Carolina native and Chandler, Arizona native with a two-run single to center to give the Dodgers an early 2-0 lead.

The Pirates didn’t let the Dodgers enjoy their lead for very long, tying the game 2-2 in the top of the fourth on two hits and a costly fielding error.

But in the bottom of the fifth inning, Dodgers utility infielder/outfielder Matt Beaty ripped a two-out/two-run double down the right-field line, scoring Seager and Pollock to give the Dodgers a 4-2 lead and the eventual 4-3 win – their fifth straight.

“He was throwing me a lot of offspeed pitches, and I was hooking them into the dugout,” Beaty said postgame. “Luckily, it wasn’t a huge adjustment, but luckily it was able to get past the first baseman and score some runs. I was just trying to put the ball in play.”

Having big hitters such as Bellinger and Seager off the Injured List and back on the field has shed light and hope for the Dodgers offense, as they try to chase down the NL West first-place San Francisco Giants with only 42 games remaining in the regular season. The big piece of the Dodgers offense puzzle, however, is when will five-time All-Star and future Hall of Famer Mookie Betts be ready to return from the IL for a bone spur in his right hip? Fortunately, Beaty and Pollock – and Max Muncy and Will Smith – have been able to step up to fill that huge gap in the Dodgers offense.

“I just go up there and not try to do too much,” Beaty said when asked how he handles his limited number of at-bats. “Just kind of stay within myself, put together good at-bats, put the ball in play and just keep it simple.”

If it takes keeping every at-bat simple to earn a win, keep doing what you’re doing, Matt!

Let’s Play Ball!

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