Mookie Betts Sends Clear Message After Dodgers' Loss to Padres

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin M. Groe | Last updated Jun 20, 2025 2:42 PM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers currently stand at 46-30, leading the NL West by 3.5 games over the San Francisco Giants and 5.0 games over the San Diego Padres. During a ten-game stretch against the two clubs, Los Angeles won seven of the contests, extending their division lead in the process.

The 2024 World Series champions have emerged as the top offensive unit in the National League, averaging 5.5 runs per game and posting the highest team OPS at .797 in MLB.

A significant contributor to this success has been Mookie Betts, who, at the top of the lineup, has produced a .737 OPS, nine home runs, and 2.6 WAR over the course of the season.

In Thursday night's series finale against the Padres, the Dodgers lost 5-3, and Betts went 0-for-3, grounding out in the third inning with two runners on and two outs, not providing the team with a typical boost.

Following the loss, Betts told reporters that with a long season still ahead, the team is determined to keep its spot at the top of the standings even when faced with adversity.

“We still have a couple months to go and we just have to keep playing Dodger baseball," he said.

Mookie: "We still have a couple months to go and we just have to keep playing Dodger baseball." pic.twitter.com/Q56I0rtNWt
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 20, 2025

When questioned about the benches clearing in the ninth inning, Betts opted not to comment.

"I don’t know," he began. "I got nothing to do with that. There is going to be zero controversy talk over here."

Padres star outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. was struck in the wrist in the top half of the inning, leading to the benches clearing and the ejections of both team's managers, Mike Shildt and Dave Roberts.

In the bottom half of the inning, Shohei Ohtani was struck by a 100 mph fastball on a 3-0 count from Robert Suarez, which led to him being tossed as well.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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