Originally published by DodgerBlue.com
The Los Angeles Dodgers opened Cactus League play with a 14-1 victory over the San Diego Padres, led by an eight-run first inning before recording their second out.
Mookie Betts started the game with a walk, and Padres’ starter Joe Musgrove was unable to limit the damage as he gave up four runs without recording an out before he was pulled from the game.
“It was a good time,” Betts said after the win. “Scored a bunch of runs, so that was fun. Have a lot more games to go.”
The Dodgers have high expectations this year, and the offensive explosion to start Spring Training was sure to add to that excitement, but Betts wasn’t putting much stock into the results. “It’s a Spring Training game,” he said.
“If we didn’t score, it would’ve been another story. It’s cool. I’m glad we did score eight runs. These games don’t really matter. We just need to prepare ourselves and get ready for Korea.”
While the results are nice, Betts knows they ultimately don’t matter for the Dodgers once the regular season begins, and on a personal level he isn’t too consumed with the good or the bad of Spring Training.
“There’s been springs where I felt great going into the season, and started off terrible,” Betts recalled. “And the opposite, where spring was terrible but I started off the season good.
“It doesn’t really matter. When the lights turn on, you’ve got to be ready to play. And I’ll be ready.”
Mookie Betts figuring out second base with Xander Bogaerts
With the Dodgers’ first game coming against the Padres, Betts played opposite of Xander Bogaerts, who also is making a full-time change to second base this season.
Betts and Bogaerts were Boston Red Sox teammates and came up through their system together, even spending some time as a double play duo.
“You never know what life is going to give you,” Betts said. “It is crazy though. We played together up the middle at one point and now we’re both second baseman, I don’t know how many years later. It’s crazy.”
While Betts has some experience at the position already, he didn’t offer any advice to his now rival.
“Nah, we both need to figure it out together,” Betts said. “It was good seeing him.”
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