Saturday, October 17, 2020

Mookie Betts makes the small plays as Dodgers stave off elimination

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager celebrates his two-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen throws against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

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  • Atlanta Braves’ Freddie Freeman is safe at second past Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner after a double during the eighth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager celebrates his two-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager celebrates his two-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager hits two-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager celebrates his two-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Victor Gonzalez throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chris Taylor scores past Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d’Arnaud on a hit by Mookie Betts during the seventh inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Enrique Hernandez forces Atlanta Braves Johan Camargo out at second after Cristian Pache hit into a double play during the seventh inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • The Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate a three-run home run by Will Smith against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith (16) celebrates a three-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Pedro Baez throws against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith (16) celebrates a three-run home run off Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Will Smith during the sixth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May watches from the dugout during the seventh inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Will Smith, right, reacts after giving up a three-run home run to Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith, back left, in the sixth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith celebrates a three-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith celebrates a three-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Will Smith (16) celebrates a three-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the sixth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas.(AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Dansby Swanson is safe at third past Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager on a single by Nick Markakis during the second inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Cristian Pache celebrates after a RBI-single single against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the second inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Dansby Swanson celebrates with Freddie Freeman after scoring on a single by Cristian Pache during the second inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Joe Kelly throws against the Atlanta Braves during the third inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager hits a home run against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager celebrates a home run against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Tyler Matzek throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager watches his home run against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Corey Seager celebrates a home run against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Marcell Ozuna watches after getting called out at home after leaving third early during the third inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Blake Treinen throws against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Freddie Freeman, foreground runs on his way to scoring from third base on a sacrifice fly from teammate Travis d’Arnaud in the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts (50) catches a fly ball from Atlanta Braves shortstop Dansby Swanson then throws to home in the third inning of Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series, Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

  • Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Shane Greene throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fifth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts is save at first past Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman during the sixth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts steals seconds past Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies during the sixth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts is tagged out in a run down by Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Shane Greene during the sixth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts is tagged out in a run down by Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Shane Greene during the sixth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts steals seconds past Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies during the sixth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Mookie Betts steals seconds past Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies during the sixth inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger reacts after striking out against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Dansby Swanson is safe at third past Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager on a single by Nick Markakis during the second inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy walks to the dugout after striking out against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Freddie Freeman celebrates at the dugout after scoring on a sacrifice fly by Travis d’Arnaud during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May throws against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

  • Atlanta Braves’ Freddie Freeman hits double against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May throws against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy reacts after striking out against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May warms up before Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May warms up before Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner hit a double against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

  • Atlanta Braves relief pitcher A.J. Minter throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

  • Atlanta Braves relief pitcher A.J. Minter throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Atlanta Braves relief pitcher A.J. Minter throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning in Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker watches batting practice before Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker watches batting practice before Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager warms up during batting practice before Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker watches batting practice before Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker watches batting practice before Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Fans watch batting practice before Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies warms up during batting practice before Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Fans watch batting practice before Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Atlanta Braves Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

  • Atlanta Braves third baseman Pablo Sandoval smiles during batting practice before Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

  • Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw watches batting practice before Game 5 of a baseball National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves Friday, Oct. 16, 2020, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

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Mookie Betts’ impact on the National League Championship Series was there, but you had to squint to see it before Friday.

Betts drew a couple of walks early in Game 2. He hustled out an infield single to jumpstart the highest-scoring inning in postseason history in Game 3. He made a leaping catch and quick throw from right field in Game 4. But he was not the impact player the Dodgers needed against the Atlanta Braves, who raced out to a 3-1 lead with a chance to clinch the series in Game 5.

As he’s done throughout the season, Betts changed the game with a couple of small plays that didn’t jump out in the box score. This time, his preternatural awareness on the field had an outsized impact as the Dodgers looked to save their season.

Betts’ third-inning catch of a Dansby Swanson fly ball was not his most photogenic as a Dodger. Given how it changed the course of Game 5, it might prove to be his most important.

Atlanta led 2-0 in the third inning when Ozuna and Travis d’Arnaud hit consecutive singles against Joe Kelly. Both runners moved up a base on a groundout. Swanson, batting next, hit a sinking fly ball to right field. Ozuna went back to third base to tag up as Betts charged in.

Critically, Ozuna left third base before the ball found the webbing of Betts’ glove just above the turf. The run momentarily gave the Braves a 3-0 lead. But the Dodgers challenged, and a video review confirmed what television viewers already knew: the run didn’t count. It was scored as an inning-ending double play, and the Dodgers had new life.

“We’ve had a lot of great plays this year, but if you’re talking about momentum shifts, that’s the play of the year for me,” Manager Dave Roberts said. “The probability of catching that baseball, where Joe was at, the game score, potentially having to go to (Blake) Treinen there … for me that was the play of the game. It was a huge play.”

“I just knew I needed to stay on my feet in order to have a chance to throw (Ozuna) out at home,” Betts said. “It’s just kind of instinctual I guess. I had a plan and I did it.”

Corey Seager led off the top of the fourth inning with a solo home run, bringing the Dodgers within 2-1. They didn’t score again until the sixth – but Betts again played an outsized role in a critical sequence of events.

With Shane Greene on the mound, Betts led off the inning with a single. He stole second base by the length of his hand.

When Justin Turner hit a ground ball to the right side of the infield, Betts took off running for third base – only to realize he wouldn’t have time to get there ahead of Ozzie Albies’ throw.

Betts got in a rundown between second and third base and stayed there long enough for Turner to reach second base without a throw. The Dodgers then had a runner in scoring position with two outs and first base open.

Left-hander Will Smith relieved Greene and the game turned quickly. Max Muncy watched a ball just off the plate for ball four. This, Betts said, was the turning point of the game.

“We had a couple of them,” Betts said, “but Munce getting a walk right there to get Smitty up to the plate – pass the baton, not trying to do too much, took his walk, getting it to Smitty to do what he does best.”

Dodgers catcher Will Smith – no relation to the pitcher – worked a full count, then hit a three-run home run to give the Dodgers a 4-2 lead. The Smith-Smith tete a tete was the buzzworthy moment in the Dodgers’ 7-3 win. The contributions of Betts allowed it to happen.

“It’s not always on the offensive side that you get the spark,” Seager said. “A moment like (Betts’ catch) changes everything for you. You go into the dugout, you scratch some runs, and everything changes.”

We're still 😧 at this catch. pic.twitter.com/fCyx1GBv8a

— Cut4 (@Cut4) October 17, 2020

https://goo.gl/hYDEHJ
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