LOS ANGELES — It takes a village, and on Tuesday night, the Dodgers assembled in the town square.
With former shortstop Corey Seager in the house, the Dodgers showed they have moved on from their former star shortstop in a 15-2 victory over the Texas Rangers, even if they have yet to advance to a World Series without him.
Mookie Betts, the Dodgers’ third shortstop since Seager departed via free agency after the 2021 season, hit a three-run double. Three left-handed power bats that have arrived since lefty-swinging Seager moved on all hit home runs in a seven-run sixth inning as Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Jason Heyward went deep.
Teoscar Hernandez also hit a home run in the sixth inning as the Dodgers delivered a season high in runs.
The last time the Dodgers hit four home runs in an inning was Sept. 29, 2021, against the San Diego Padres. Seager hit the last of those four, making Tuesday’s display something of a symbolic outburst.
All Seager could do Tuesday was watch as he sat out his fourth consecutive game for the Rangers with a left hamstring strain. He has not given up hope of playing in the series at some point.
The Dodgers did welcome Seager back before the game, allowing fans to shower him with appreciation. The former National League Rookie of the Year emerged from the dugout to wave to the crowd and for a brief moment it seemed like old times.
The cheers only grew louder as the Dodgers’ offense grew stronger. Will Smith had a three-run home run for the Dodgers in the first inning. Betts’ three-run double made it 6-0, and by the time their power explosion was done in the sixth, the statement was complete.
After winning two of three games in New York against the Yankees over the weekend amid a playoff-like atmosphere, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was asked if that type of energy and focus was sustainable.
“I thought (the Yankees series) was potentially a good preview,” Roberts said of the Dodgers’ capabilities. “Really good baseball. So I definitely know it was in there. It was fun to see it. This is still gonna be a fun series. We’re playing against the world champs.”
Texas might have a different idea of fun. The Rangers had catcher Andrew Knizner pitching in the seventh inning. Credit to Kinzer, who did not give up a hit while recording five outs.
Lost amid the chaos of all that Dodgers’ offense was a rebound effort from Dodgers veteran left-hander James Paxton (6-1), who gave up one run over six innings with just two hits. The start came six days after Paxton gave up a season-worst seven runs (six earned) to the Pittsburgh Pirates in his only loss of the season so far.
More to come on this story.