Heading into Friday night’s game between the Dodgers and Padres at Petco Park in San Diego, Dodgers superstar outfielder Mookie Betts was hitting a very un-Mookie-Betts-like .178 (8-for-45), with no home runs, two doubles, three RBI, and12 strikeouts.

Was.

When the dust finally settled in the Dodgers eventual 6-1 win over the friars, the Nashville, TN native and fifth-round draft pick in 2011 by the Boston Red Sox out of Overton High School in Nashville was 10-for-48 (.208), with two home runs and five RBI.

Yes, the five-time All-Star, five-time Gold Glover, four-time Silver Slugger, and 2018 American League batting champion had homered twice – a 420-foot shot to deep left-center field in the top of the fifth inning followed by a 370-footer to left field in the top of the ninth.

“It’s been a grind, but my coaches and my teammates have been great supporters,” Betts said postgame. “They kept me going, kept me focusing on the next task at hand. They deserve a lot of credit.

“I’ve been grinding since Spring Training, really,” Betts added. “But just to know I can do it, reassurance always helps.”

“I sensed it. We all sensed it,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Betts’ big night. “I think just putting the barrel on it and running around the bases, you could see it.”

Although ‘It’s still early‘ (as so many like to say), with the win, the Dodgers increased their lead in the NL West to 1.5 games over the Colorado Rockies. They have also now won nine of their last 10 games.

Welcome back Mookie!

Play Ball!

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