Mookie Betts, Trevor Bauer lead Dodgers over Giants

June 29 (UPI) — Mookie Betts belted his 10th home run of the season and pitcher Trevor Bauer allowed two runs over six innings to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a win in a rivalry series opener against the San Francisco Giants.

Betts went 2 for 3 with an RBI, a run scored and a walk in the 3-2 triumph Monday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Bauer allowed eight hits, threw eight strikeouts and improved to 8-5 in 2021.

“I think we did a really good job of not adding extra pressure on ourselves,” Betts told reporters. “We just went out and played another game, like we always do.”

Giants third baseman Wilmer Flores went 4-4 in the loss. The Giants, who own an MLB-best 50-28 record, have now lost their last two games. They entered the skid with wins in 10 of their previous 11.

“I don’t feel like I was particularly effective, but we got a win and that’s all that matters,” Bauer told reporters. “I’m happy about that.”

Betts got the Dodgers off to a quick start. The All-Star outfielder hit the third pitch he saw from Giants starter Anthony DeSclafani over the left field fence for a leadoff homer. The solo shot traveled an estimated 388 feet.

Dodgers first baseman Max Muncy followed with a 424-foot blast to right field in the next at-bat.

The Giants answered when LaMonte Wade smacked a 373-foot solo shot off Bauer in the top of the third. Dodgers catcher Will Smith responded with a 377-foot solo homer off DeSclafani in the bottom of the fourth.

Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford brought in the final run with another solo homer in the top of the sixth. Crawford crushed that Bauer offering for a 444-foot blast to center field.

Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 19th save of 2021.

The Dodgers totaled just five hits. Wade and catcher Buster Posey collected two hits apiece for the Giants.

“Our guys made pitches when they needed to,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters. “It was certainly nice to get a lead.

“Mookie got us off to a good start. … Playing with a lead was big.”

The Dodgers (48-31) host the Giants in the finale of the two-game series at 10:10 p.m. EDT Tuesday at Dodger Stadium. Giants starter Kevin Gausman (8-1) is expected to face fellow right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler (7-1).