Mookie Betts’ walk-off home run in the tenth inning keeps the Dodgers unbeaten: “We just keep going.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers have started the 2025 season with a bang, as Mookie Betts delivered an electrifying walk-off home run in the tenth inning to secure a thrilling 5-4 victory over the San Francisco Giants. In a game that highlighted the Dodgers’ resilience, determination, and ability to thrive under pressure, Betts’ clutch performance helped the team maintain its perfect record. As the Dodgers keep racking up wins, the phrase “We just keep going” has become their mantra, reflecting their unwavering commitment to staying focused and relentless.
The Road to Victory: A Tense Battle
The game between the Dodgers and Giants was a microcosm of what makes baseball so captivating: moments of tension, sudden shifts in momentum, and individual brilliance. The Dodgers entered the contest with a spotless 4-0 record, determined to extend their early-season dominance. On the other hand, the Giants were hungry to break their losing streak and play spoiler to their division rivals.
From the start, the atmosphere at Dodger Stadium was electric, with fans eagerly anticipating another dominant performance from their team. However, the Giants were not going to make it easy. Starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw took the mound for Los Angeles, while San Francisco countered with their ace, Logan Webb.
Kershaw, in typical fashion, was sharp early on, using his signature curveball to keep the Giants’ hitters off balance. But as the game wore on, Webb settled in as well, and the two teams began to trade blows. The Dodgers scored first, with Freddie Freeman hitting a timely single to drive in Max Muncy, who had reached base with a double. However, the Giants answered back in the fourth inning, when LaMonte Wade Jr. crushed a two-run homer off Kershaw, giving San Francisco a 2-1 lead.
Despite the early setback, the Dodgers’ offense was never far from threatening. In the bottom of the sixth inning, Betts, who had already been a sparkplug at the top of the order, came through with a crucial RBI single that tied the game at 2-2. His ability to come through in key moments is one of the reasons why he is so highly regarded as one of the best all-around players in the game.
Tensions Rise in the Ninth Inning
As the game entered the final frame of regulation, both teams knew that they were on the precipice of something special. The Dodgers had an opportunity to win in the ninth inning when they loaded the bases with two outs, but the Giants’ bullpen stood tall and managed to escape the jam without allowing a run.
In the top of the tenth, the Giants seized their chance. With the automatic runner on second base, they quickly advanced to third after a sacrifice bunt. A deep fly ball to right field brought in the go-ahead run, and suddenly the Dodgers found themselves down by a score of 4-3. The crowd was tense, knowing that the game could slip away, but the Dodgers had an ace up their sleeve in the form of Betts.
The Moment of Magic: Betts Delivers the Walk-Off
With the Dodgers now trailing by a single run, the game was on the line as they came to bat in the bottom of the tenth. The team had already displayed its ability to come back in high-pressure situations during this young season, but this moment would require something truly extraordinary.
Mookie Betts, who had been solid throughout the game, stepped up to the plate with a sense of calm confidence. His eyes locked in on the pitcher, Giants’ closer Camilo Doval, who had been lights out in save situations thus far in the year. Doval was known for his high-velocity fastball and devastating slider, but Betts had seen it all before. With the automatic runner on second base and one out, the stage was set for a moment that would define the game—and possibly the season.
Betts took a few pitches, feeling out Doval’s rhythm and waiting for the right one. With the count at 2-1, Betts got the pitch he was looking for—a hanging slider that didn’t break the way Doval intended. In a split second, Betts’ bat met the ball with an unmistakable crack. The ball soared high and deep to right center field, heading toward the bleachers.
The Dodger faithful held their breath as the ball carried into the night sky. The stadium was eerily silent, the kind of silence that accompanies the anticipation of a potential game-changing moment. Then, with a loud roar, the crowd erupted as the ball cleared the fence, landing in the stands for a dramatic walk-off home run. The Dodgers had won the game, 5-4, and remained unbeaten on the season.
Betts’ teammates stormed the field, mobbing him as he rounded the bases. His face was the picture of pure joy, his eyes wide as he soaked in the moment. As he crossed home plate, Betts raised his arms in triumph, embracing the crowd’s applause and admiration. The Dodgers had done it again, and Mookie Betts had delivered the kind of performance that Dodgers fans will remember for a long time.
“We Just Keep Going”: A Team in Sync
As the Dodgers celebrated their victory, Betts offered a few words to the media that captured the essence of the team’s spirit. When asked about the thrilling walk-off, Betts simply said, “We just keep going. We don’t panic. We know we’re a good team, and we trust each other to make the plays when it counts.”
That mentality—steadfast, composed, and relentless—is what has set the tone for the Dodgers’ early-season success. Manager Dave Roberts echoed Betts’ sentiments in his post-game comments, praising his team’s ability to stay calm and execute in high-pressure situations.
“We’ve got a great group of guys here,” Roberts said. “It’s all about the team. Mookie, Freddie, Will Smith, they’re all key pieces, but it’s about what we do together. We just keep going. No matter what happens, we keep playing our game.”
Indeed, the Dodgers’ ability to stay focused and execute under pressure has been evident in each of their wins so far. While individual performances like Betts’ walk-off are unforgettable, the true strength of this team lies in its collective mentality. From the pitching staff to the offense, from the veterans to the young players, everyone contributes to the Dodgers’ success. Each player knows that they are part of something bigger than themselves, and that shared belief in each other has made them nearly unstoppable.
Looking Ahead: A Season of Possibilities
As the Dodgers’ unbeaten streak continues into the 2025 season, the question on the minds of many fans and analysts is whether this team has what it takes to not only maintain this early success but to go the distance in the postseason. The win over the Giants was another example of the team’s resilience and depth. With stars like Betts, Freeman, and Kershaw anchoring the squad, and up-and-coming talents like Gavin Lux and Julio Urías continuing to shine, the Dodgers have the pieces to make a serious championship run.
But as Betts said, the Dodgers are not focused on what lies ahead. They are focused on the here and now, on keeping their momentum, and continuing to take it one game at a time. “We just keep going,” Betts repeated, and that is exactly what the Dodgers have been doing. Whether it’s late-game heroics, dominant pitching performances, or clutch hits, the Dodgers have shown time and again that they are a team that refuses to give in.
In a sport where anything can happen, one thing is clear: the Dodgers are a force to be reckoned with. With their undefeated streak intact and a deep roster that continues to deliver, Los Angeles looks poised for another successful season. But for now, the mantra remains the same: “We just keep going.” And as long as they do, the sky is the limit for this exciting team.