Mookie Betts’ leadoff homer, three-hit day, lifts Dodgers to victory over the Marlins.

With a matinee start time for Sunday’s matchup, the Dodgers had every reason to be sleepy-eyed against a floundering Marlins team on Sunday. After Sandy Alcántara put Los Angeles’ bats to sleep Saturday night with his complete game one-run outing, Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts provided an espresso-like jolt of energy to the lineup just three pitches into the game, launching a leadoff home run as part of his three-hit day in the Dodgers 8-1 victory over Miami.

“I think that kind of woke us up a little bit, that I was able to do that. I do whatever I can to help us win,” Betts said of the early start time and the importance of his leadoff home run.

From there, the Dodgers never looked back. Infielder Justin Turner- who along with Betts and fellow infielder Max Muncy all recorded three hits in the game- singled home a run later in the frame before outfielder Trayce Thompson’s 2nd inning blast posted the Dodgers to an early 3-0 lead. That would be all Dodgers starting pitcher Julio Urias would need, as he cruised to his 14th win of the season allowing just one run on one hit through six innings.

“Julio was ready to go, set the tone and everyone followed,” Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts said of Urias’ outing. “I thought the fastball command was good, the life to it was good; he wasn’t threatened at all today.”

After catcher Austin Barnes’ RBI single in the 6th inning, Betts once again delivered with a run-scoring single of his own, taking the Dodgers to a 6-1 lead. Turner followed suit in the 9th inning with his second RBI knock of the game, a double that chased home first baseman Freddie Freeman, further putting the game out of reach as the Dodgers bullpen allowed just one hit over the final three innings.

With the victory, the Dodgers are now 50 games over .500, improving their league-best mark to 88-38. The Dodgers lowered their “magic number” to 16, the number of games before they will have officially clinched the National League West Division, and, in all likelihood, a first-round bye in the 2022 MLB Postseason awarded to the two teams with the top records in each league.

Los Angeles will complete their wrap-around series with the Marlins late afternoon on Monday. Dodgers starting pitcher Tony Gonsolin was scheduled to start the game, however, the Dodgers announced late this morning that that team has placed him on the injured list retroactive to Aug. 26 with a right forearm strain. In a corresponding move, the Dodgers have recalled pitcher Michael Grove. The team has yet to announce who will take Gonsolin’s place this evening against opposing Miami starter Pablo Lopez.

First pitch is scheduled for 3:40 p.m. PDT at LoanDepot Park in Miami.

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