Dodgers' Mookie Betts pushes aside personal milestones, focusing on another World Series title

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Dodgers' Mookie Betts pushes aside personal milestones, focusing on another World Series title originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

In the Los Angeles Dodgers' locker room after driving in the game-winning run Wednesday night, shortstop Mookie Betts declined to claim the spotlight.

Didn't matter that the 4-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium marked a personal milestone, dressing for 794 games for both the Boston Red Sox and Dodgers.

The fact that he delivered an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning also seemed secondary to the four-time World Series champion focusing on the Dodgers' regular-season shortcomings: consistent offense.

"We gotta be able to score more," Betts told SportsNet LA.

Following an off day Thursday, the MLB-leading Dodgers (61-33) host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, opening a three-game series before the All-Star break.

The Dodgers improved to 21-3 at home against the Rockies since 2023. As the league's 29-ranked club, the Rockies (38-57) dropped the road series, but pushed the Dodgers into three one-run contests.

Betts, whose early production struggles earned the four-time World Series champion a D+ grade in late June among the game's highest-paid players. After recovering from an oblique strain, he struggled with a .560 OPS during his opening 27 outings. For $25.2 million this season, that wasn't much bang for the organization's deep payroll.

Dodgers' Mookie Betts starting to break out​

Highlighting Wednesday's game, Betts appeared in his 794th game with the Dodgers, matching the games he played for the Red Sox (2014-19). The eight-time All-Star posted identical 134 OPS+ marks for both franchises.

To help balance the Dodgers' lineup, Betts moved from right field to shortstop. With the Red Sox, he established a defensive standard, winning six Gold Glove awards and acquiring a 120 DRS. With the Dodgers, who have captured back-to-back Series titles, Betts posted a 68 DRS.

As late as June 12 this season, Betts was slashing .181/.250/.341. A three-hit game against the Chicago White Sox on June 13 sparked his offensive turnaround. During a 16-game span, Betts batted .373 with five homers and 11 RBI.

When Betts connected on his 300th career home run June 24, the 2011 fifth-round draft pick joined an elite fraternity. Since 1900, Betts ranks as one of eight players to amass at least 300 home runs and 175 fielding runs. Here are the other seven players on the list:

Player, Home Runs, Fielding Runs

• Barry Bonds, 762, 175
• Willie Mays, 660, 185
• Adrian Beltre, 477, 220
• Carl Yastrzemski, 452, 184
• Andruw Jones, 434, 235
• Cal Ripken Jr., 431, 181
• Scott Rolen, 316, 175

Betts also became the fifth player in MLB history to collect at least 300 homers, 150 stolen bases and a 10 defensive WAR rating, joining Andruw Jones, Mike Schmidt, Willie Mays and Alex Rodriguez

Past accomplishments are one thing, but Betts remains focused on improving the Dodgers' offense for an opportunity at a three-peat.

More MLB news:​

• Tigers' Framber Valdez delivers needed outing against Athletics
• Braves' Matt Olson creates home run history, ties team Ironman streak
• 0-for-34: Paul Goldschmidt's slump epitomizes Yankees' four-game production skid
• Royals' Tyler Tolbert ties MLB hit record during wild Mets affair
• Are Yankees SS Jose Caballero's team now?

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