Taijuan Walker struggles again as Phillies routed by Dodgers
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Mookie Betts had three hits, including a two-run homer, and the Los Angeles Dodgers went deep four times in a 13-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday night.
Betts helped propel a Los Angeles offense that belted out a season-best 15 hits. The Dodgers also tied a season high for runs as they scored in every inning but the sixth en route to a fourth straight win.
"We've had some guys hitting and some not. Fortunately, we were able to put it all together tonight," said Betts, who also drove in three runs.
Betts was batting .233 at the start of the homestand but has gone 6 for 17 with one homer and four RBIs to raise his average 19 points.
The Phillies dropped their second straight but received good news before the game when slugger Bryce Harper was cleared to return less than six months after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow. Harper is expected to be activated off the injured list Tuesday.
David Peralta hit a three-run homer, and Will Smith and Jason Heyward had solo shots. It is the 10th time this season Los Angeles has hit at least three homers in a game, which is second in the majors behind Tampa Bay's 11.
It was a return to long ball for the Dodgers, who didn't leave the yard in wins on Saturday and Sunday against St. Louis. That was the first time this season they went consecutive games without a home run.
Peralta, who came into the game batting .167 and in a 1-for-24 slump, went 2 for 4 and drove in four runs. Freddie Freeman also had three hits, including a two-run single in the fourth.
"We got complete contributions from everyone in the lineup. It was fun to watch," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "David has been scuffling a little bit but his three-run homer got us off to a good start and got the momentum going for us."
Philadelphia's Kyle Schwarber hit a solo shot in the fourth inning and Nick Castellanos had two hits, including a two-run single in the fifth.
Smith's two-out drive to left-center off Taijuan Walker (2-2) started the Dodgers' hit parade. After James Outman and Michael Vargas walked to start the second, Peralta followed with a three-run homer to right to extend the lead to 4-0. Heyward hit a solo shot to center in the third.
Betts connected for a two-run homer in the seventh to make it 11-4.
Victor Gonzalez (1-0), the third of four Dodgers pitchers, allowed one hit in 1 1/3 innings.
ANOTHER ROUGH OUTING
Walker gave up a season-high eight runs in 3 1/3 innings.
"I thought his stuff was actually decent. The fastball velocity was up, the split was good. He just got beat walking people and on his breaking ball. He left breaking balls up in the zone and they got them," Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson said.
Walker, who signed a four-year, $72 million contract with the Phillies during the offseason, has given up five homers and 13 runs in his past two starts.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Phillies: OF Cristian Pache underwent knee surgery on his torn right meniscus in Philadelphia. The timeline for recovery is four to six weeks.
Dodgers: INF Miguel Rojas was activated from the injured list after he missed 10 games due to a left hamstring strain. C Austin Wynns was designated for assignment.
UP NEXT
Philadelphia left-hander Matt Strahm (2-2, 2.31 ERA) makes his sixth start of the season Tuesday night. He will be opposed by Dodgers lefty Julio Urías (3-3, 4.41), who has a 3-1 career mark against the Phillies.
