Mookie Betts wasn’t falling for it again.
In a moment reminiscent of the Game 2 showdown between the Dodgers and Padres, Betts sent a deep fly ball just over the left field wall during his first at-bat on Tuesday night.
This time, however, there was a key difference – Jurickson Profar didn’t make the catch.
During the top of the ninth in Tuesday’s NLDS Game 3, Betts hit the fly ball off Padres pitcher Michael King. Profar attempted to catch it in left field near the foul pole at Petco Park.
Unfortunately for Profar, the ball slipped through his glove and landed in the stands for a solo home run.
From his position on the base paths, Betts hesitated. Having been deceived by Profar in the past, Betts initially believed the ball had been caught. He veered off course between first and second base, heading towards the Dodgers dugout.
It wasn’t until the umpires confirmed the home run and third-base coach Dino Ebel signaled for Betts to continue rounding the bases that Betts resumed his trot. He even made it almost to the pitcher’s mound before turning back to complete his home run lap.
And yes, that unconventional route was permissible. Since no defender was actively trying to make a play on Betts, he wasn’t obligated to adhere strictly to the base path for the home run to count.
For comparison, Betts’ near-home run on Sunday night at Dodger Stadium was shown. Like Tuesday’s home run, Sunday’s fly ball cleared a short wall near the left-field foul pole. Profar once again attempted to make a play by reaching over the wall.
However, on Sunday, Profar successfully caught the ball. He took a moment to savor the catch and taunt the Dodgers fans before revealing that he had indeed made the out, depriving Betts of a home run. Betts had already started celebrating before Profar’s revelation.
Hence, Betts’ caution and more subdued celebration on Tuesday.
The hit was significant for Betts in more ways than one. It not only ended his 0-for-22 playoff slump but also marked his first hit in this postseason after going 0-for-6 prior to Tuesday’s home run.