Betts hits 2 HRs to lead Dodgers
Mookie Betts homered twice on a night he was originally supposed to have off, and the Dodgers beat the Nationals 9-4 on Tuesday in Washington.
Betts smacked a three-run homer off former Dodgers prospect Josiah Gray and hit a solo shot off Victor Arano for his 21st career multi-homer game and his second of the season.
Chris Taylor and Trea Turner also homered for the Dodgers, who have won nine of 10. At 29-13, LA owns the best record in the National League. The Nats have dropped seven of their last nine and are a major-league worst 5-17 at home.
Betts was scheduled for a routine off day, but manager Dave Roberts said outfielder Clay Bellinger woke up not feeling well, which prompted some lineup juggling. Betts, whose 12 homers lead the NL, scored a run in his 12th consecutive game, tying Rafael Furcal (in 2010) for the longest such streak since the Dodgers moved to Los Angeles.
Injury news
For the second consecutive game, Rockies outfielder Kris Bryant was out of the lineup with back soreness. He is day-to-day, but manager Bud Black said that a return to the injured list is possible. “He’s going through some exercises, [but he’s] still not right,” Black said. Bryant played in two games since returning from the IL on Saturday after missing 21 with back issues.
† Brewers manager Craig Counsell said starting pitcher Freddy Peralta would miss a “significant” amount of time with his right shoulder injury. Peralta was put on the 15-day IL on Monday after exiting his start on Sunday. The team also put outfielder Hunter Renfroe on the 10-day IL because of a right hamstring strain.
† Yankees infielder DJ LeMahieu was a late scratch with left wrist discomfort, and closer Aroldis Chapman was added to the injured list with left Achilles tendinitis. Giancarlo Stanton was pulled from the team’s 7-6 victory against the visiting Orioles in the seventh inning with right calf tightness.
† The Mariners activated 2020 AL rookie of the year Kyle Lewis from the injured list, nearly a year after he last played in a major-league game because of a right knee injury.
Eflin, Phillies reach deal
Right-hander Zach Eflin and the Phillies avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.7 million contract. Eflin (1-3, 3.65 ERA) gets a $5.55 million salary this year, and the deal includes a $15 million mutual option for 2023. The Phillies and Eflin had been scheduled for an arbitration hearing Wednesday. He had asked for a raise from $4.45 million to $6.9 million and had been offered $5.15 million.