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Elephant Rumblings: Mookie Betts leads Dodgers to Game 1 win in 2020 World Series

MLB news roundup

World Series - Tampa Bay Rays v Los Angeles Dodgers - Game One Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Good morning afternoon, Athletics Nation!

The 2020 World Series is underway, and the Los Angeles Dodgers won the first game 8-3 over the Tampa Bay Rays to take an early lead in the best-of-seven. Mookie Betts, Cody Bellinger, and Clayton Kershaw led the way for L.A.

The scoring didn’t begin until the bottom of the 4th, with a solo homer by Bellinger. In the top of the 5th, Rays center fielder Kevin Kiermaier responded with a two-run dinger to take the lead, creating some interesting history.

But then the Dodgers took over. Betts began the 5th with a leadoff walk and then stole second base (and later third as well), and the rally was on. Another walk, a failed fielder’s choice, and three singles led to a four-run inning, and L.A. never looked back.

Betts kept the pressure on. He led off again in the 6th, and this time he homered, setting some more World Series history.

He’s also the first player since Babe Ruth in 1921 to walk and steal two bases in the same inning in the World Series.

On the other side of the ball, Kershaw overcame his own negative postseason reputation by spinning a quality start. He threw six innings and allowed just one run, missing a ton of bats along the way.

For more on the game, check out the Dodgers recap from True Blue LA, and the Rays recap from DRaysBay.

The two teams go back at it tonight in Game 2. Tampa Bay hands the ball to 2018 Cy Young winner Blake Snell, while L.A. turns to Tony Gonsolin — however, Gonsolin pitched on Sunday in the NLCS, so he could see an early hook with another starter like Dustin May helping in long relief.

Here’s the schedule (all times Pacific, all TV broadcasts on Fox):

  • Game 1: Dodgers win, 8-3
  • Game 2: Wed, Oct. 21, 5 p.m.
  • Game 3: Fri, Oct. 23, 5 p.m.
  • Game 4: Sat, Oct. 24, 5 p.m.
  • Game 5: Sun, Oct. 25, 5 p.m.
  • Game 6: Tue, Oct. 27, 5 p.m.
  • Game 7: Wed, Oct. 28, 5 p.m.

Still a lot of Series left to play!

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