LOS ANGELES – Mookie Betts did it again, hitting a two-run home run that put the Dodgers ahead as they set a new franchise record for Los Angeles at 7-0 this season with a 3-1 victory over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.
Clutch like Mookie! pic.twitter.com/MnzNgodIOr
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 2, 2025
The Dodgers are the first defending championship team to start the season 7-0 since the 1933 New York Yankees. The 2025 Dodgers have achieved the best start in Los Angeles franchise history by going 7-0. Only two other teams in the franchise’s history have had better starts: the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers, who began the season 10-0, and the 1940 Brooklyn Dodgers, who started 9-0.
Betts connected with a 78 mph slider thrown by left-hander Chris Sale, sending the ball into the left-field pavilion. Prior to the sixth inning, Sale had only given up one hit, which was a single by Teoscar Hernandez in the second inning. Shohei Ohtani led off the inning with a single to left field. On the third pitch of the at-bat against Betts, he crushed the ball for his third home run in the last three games.
“I was just looking for something to hit,” Betts said. “He throws a lot of strikes, just gotta go up there and be ready to swing.”
Betts returned to the lineup on opening day after recovering from an illness that caused him to lose about 18 pounds. Last Friday, he hit two home runs, one of which was a walk-off in the 10th inning. The only run allowed by the Dodgers came in the second inning when Betts made an error while attempting to turn a double play, leading to Marcell Ozuna scoring as a result of the mishandled ball.
“I didn’t get a good grip on it,” Betts said. “It’s just a dumb play, just a dumb play.”
Betts made up for his earlier error with a crucial hit, sending all 50,182 fans into a frenzy at Chavez Ravine. During spring training, Betts emphasized the importance of winning each day and not focusing on records or individual achievements. The Dodgers have showcased a masterclass in teamwork during their first seven games of the season.
“It’s just something that we do,” Betts said. “Something that is in our DNA. If were not doing that, something is wrong.”
Betts has increased his weight to 167 pounds and is getting closer to his original weight of 175 pounds. About a week ago, he was at 157 pounds, and during that time, he has hit three home runs.
Tommy Edman followed Betts with a single of his own, then stole second base and advanced to third on a wild throw. Will Smith then hit a single to center field while the infield was pulled in, giving the Dodgers a 3-1 lead. Smith is now 4-for-5 this season with runners in scoring position. This marks the fourth time in seven games that he has reached base at least twice. The Dodgers struggled against Chris Sale, going just 1 for 16 through the first five innings, with their only hit coming from Hernandez.
In his first Major League game since May 17, 2023, Dustin May strikes out the side to start the game! pic.twitter.com/wIR4sIQI8p
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 2, 2025
Dustin May had a bright night, pitching five innings and allowing just one hit while striking out six batters. Impressively, four of those strikeouts came against the first four batters he faced. This marked an electric return for May, who was making his first start since August 2023.
“It meant the world to me just to be back out on the mound,” May said. “About eight months ago I didn’t know if I would be out there.”
May expressed that he was slightly upset because the wrong walk-out song played when he entered the field in the first inning, which he believed was why he struck out the first four hitters he faced.
“That’s the best stuff, mechanical-wise and stuff-wise tonight,” May said.
As May wrapped up his first start, he knew it would be an emotional experience. He performed exceptionally well, with his velocity and pitch movement appearing unhittable early in the game. May continued to mix his pitches effectively, with his sinker and sweeper showing strong results on Tuesday night.
“He filled up the strike zone. The sinker, the slider, the rhythm of the game for him, he really managed emotions really well.” Roberts said.
On the other hand, Sale was dominant for the first five innings, but the Dodgers took control in the sixth. He allowed three consecutive hits to begin the inning, resulting in three earned runs, all of which came during that sixth inning, while not issuing any walks. It initially seemed like the Dodgers' offense might be shut down for the first time this season, but that wasn’t the case. Sale threw a total of 87 pitches, landing 63 for strikes, and he struck out five batters during the game.
During this home stand, the Dodgers have impressively defeated two former Cy Young Award winners despite not having a fully healthy offensive lineup. Freddie Freeman, Kiké Hernández, and Betts have all missed some time early in the season.
The Dodgers will play one more game in this home stand, which concludes on Wednesday night, as left-hander Blake Snell makes his second start of the season against right-hander Bryce Elder.