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. Hernandez has been the hottest Dodgers hitter of all with four home runs over his last three games and five over his last five contests.
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.
“You always hear it: hitting is contagious,” said Freeman, who followed Ohtani’s home run with one of his own. “… Shohei hit the homer and you just want to keep it going; start the inning again. You do that and Will (Smith) gets a hit and Teoscar does it again, (then) it’s Jason. Those are the innings that are fun.”
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…
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