Dave Roberts Calls Out Mookie Betts for Costly Dodgers Mistake

The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a frustrating 6-1 defeat to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday. A costly miscue in the fifth inning squandered a prime scoring opportunity and left fans shaking their heads.

Base-running execution and miscommunication between Mookie Betts and Kiké Hernández proved pivotal. The Dodgers missed out on early momentum in a game that could’ve helped them keep a stronger NL West lead.

With just one run scored in the first two games of the series, Los Angeles now turns to ace pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Sunday’s finale suddenly feels like a must-win to avoid a sweep.

The Fifth-Inning Turning Point

The Dodgers had a real shot to strike first in the fifth inning. Hernández waited at third base as Shohei Ohtani lifted a deep fly ball to left field.

Hernández tagged up, sprinting for home and hoping to grab the game’s opening run. Arizona had controlled much of the series up to that point, so this felt big.

Where the Play Went Wrong

Arizona’s Lourdes Gurriel Jr. fired a strong, accurate throw to the plate. Shockingly, Hernández was tagged out without even trying to slide.

In Major League Baseball, every split second matters at the plate. The fact that Hernández didn’t slide was as costly as it was confusing—what was going through his mind?

Mookie Betts’ Role in the Missed Opportunity

As the on-deck hitter, Betts had a crucial job: signal to Hernández whether to slide, and which way. Runners rely on that cue when barreling toward home.

But Betts stood too far to the left of the plate, making it tough for Hernández to see him. That split-second of doubt probably made all the difference between a run and an out.

Dave Roberts Addresses the Blunder

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts didn’t dodge the issue after the game. He said Betts needed to be in a better lane to help Hernández with the call.

Roberts didn’t single out anyone for blame, but he knows details like positioning and signaling can change everything in close games. Especially with the division race so tight, these little things matter.

Hernández’s Perspective

Afterward, Hernández said he thought he was safe on the play. He admitted, though, that the moment could’ve shifted the game’s momentum.

If he’d scored, the Dodgers would’ve had their first lead of the series at 1-0. Instead, the inning ended with nothing, and Arizona kept control of the scoreboard.

Offensive Struggles Continue for the Dodgers

This missed chance was just one example of the Dodgers’ offensive troubles in the series. They’ve scored a meager one run over the first two games against the Diamondbacks.

They got shut out in the opener and looked flat again in Game 2. For a club used to leading the league in scoring, this is a rough patch—especially with October looming.

Impact on the NL West Standings

The loss tightened the NL West race. Now, the Dodgers’ lead over the San Diego Padres has shrunk to just one game.

Every contest from here on out carries playoff implications. Los Angeles can’t afford to let small mistakes keep piling up.

Looking Ahead: Yamamoto on the Hill

The Dodgers now pin their hopes on Yoshinobu Yamamoto in Sunday’s series finale. He’s got a knack for shutting down hitters with sharp precision and a cool head.

Yamamoto faces the job of stopping the Diamondbacks’ roll and giving the Dodgers a shot to dodge a sweep. It’s not just about one win—it’s about snapping back and showing they can still steer things in the division.

• Betts and Hernández had a miscommunication that let the Dodgers give up an early run.
• Arizona took advantage, flexing their defense and getting big outs when it mattered.
• The Dodgers’ cushion in the NL West is down to a single game over the Padres.
• Sunday’s game, with Yamamoto on the mound, feels huge for stopping the sweep and hanging onto some momentum.

If the Dodgers want to hang around in October, they’ve got to tighten up everywhere—hitting, baserunning, fielding, you name it. Saturday’s loss stung and, honestly, it just shows how even little mistakes can swing everything in baseball.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Dave Roberts Calls Out Mookie Betts’ Mistake in Dodgers Loss