Mookie Betts hit three home runs in a game for the sixth time in his career, matching a major league record, and the Los Angeles Dodgers launched six long balls in all Thursday night during an 11-2 rout of the San Diego Padres.
Betts tied a mark shared by Sammy Sosa and Hall of Famer Johnny Mize. The star outfielder went 4 for 4 with five RBIs and was hit by a pitch in the leadoff spot, where manager Dave Roberts has been reluctant to lock him in.
Betts has mostly batted second in this pandemic-shortened season. The 2018 AL MVP said when he was acquired from Boston in a blockbuster trade last offseason that he thought he’d be hitting leadoff with his new team.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias throws against the San Diego Padres during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoJae C. Hong)
With a chance to tie the big league mark of four home runs in one game, Betts reached on an infield single in the seventh.
The National League's top two home run-hitting teams split the four-game series, with the Dodgers outscoring the Padres 17-2 over the last two.
Julio Urías (2-0) gave up consecutive two-out solo homers to Tommy Pham and Eric Hosmer in the first after the Padres failed to homer for the first time in nine games during a 6-0 loss on Wednesday night.
Los Angeles Dodgers' Austin Barnes hits a two-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoJae C. Hong)
The Dodgers answered right back in the bottom of the inning to tie it 2-all. Betts was hit by a pitch and scored on Corey Seager's two-run shot to right on an 0-2 pitch from Chris Paddack (2-2). Seager returned after missing five games because of lower back discomfort. AJ Pollock added a go-ahead solo homer with two outs.
Los Angeles scored in each of the first five innings. Betts connected on a two-run shot to left field with two outs in the second for a 5-2 lead.
Pollock's RBI double made it 6-2 in the third.
San Diego Padres starting pitcher Chris Paddack reads the signs while pitching against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, Aug. 13, 2020, in Los Angeles. (AP PhotoJae C. Hong)
Austin Barnes and Betts went deep back-to-back in the fourth, extending the Dodgers' lead to 9-2. Barnes' two-run shot landed in the left-field pavilion and Betts followed with a solo shot to the same area.
Betts wasn't finished. He smashed a two-run homer in the fifth for an 11-2 lead.
The Dodgers' offensive outburst didn't include reigning NL MVP Cody Bellinger, who went 0 for 3 with a strikeout and a walk.
Urías allowed two runs and five hits in 6 1/3 innings. He struck out three and walked none.
Paddack gave up six runs and six hits in three innings. He struck out one and walked one.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Padres: INF-OF Jorge Mateo was activated from the 60-day injured list and made his major league debut starting in left field. He was acquired from Oakland on June 30.
Dodgers: LHP Alex Wood (shoulder inflammation) threw a simulated game. He'll toss a bullpen Saturday and follow up with three innings Tuesday as he builds himself back up. “I should be ready to contribute here soon,” he said. ... C Will Smith was out after leaving the game a night earlier because of neck pain. He's unlikely to go on the IL, although Barnes started Thursday and will do so again Friday in Anaheim.
UP NEXT
Padres: RHP Dinelson Lamet (2-0, 1.61 ERA) starts Friday's opener at Arizona. He struck out eight in five innings against the Diamondbacks two weeks ago.
Dodgers: LHP Clayton Kershaw (1-1, 3.60) starts Friday in the opener of a three-game set versus the Angels in Anaheim. He's 6-2 with a 2.56 ERA against them.
More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports