Mookie Betts, Dodgers Use Big 5th Inning to Beat Alex Bregman, Astros

The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the host Houston Astros 5-2 on Tuesday at Minute Maid Park in a 2017 World Series rematch that saw benches clear in the sixth inning after L.A. relief pitcher Joe Kelly and 'Stros shortstop Carlos Correa jawed following a frame-ending strikeout:

Beforehand, the Dodgers used a five-run fifth inning to propel themselves to victory. A Mookie Betts bases-loaded walk, an RBI off a Max Muncy ground ball, RBI singles from Justin Turner and Cody Bellinger, and another bases-loaded walk from Chris Taylor led to the five-spot.

Correa did all the work for Houston, hitting a solo home run in the second inning, knocking home Michael Brantley on a fourth-inning single and adding a ninth-inning double to register three of Houston's four hits.

The Dodgers' trip to Houston marked the first time the team had been there since losing to the Astros 13-12 in Game 5 of the 2017 Fall Classic.

L.A. and Houston are now both 3-2 on the 2020 season.

Notable Performances

Dodgers OF AJ Pollock: 3-of-5, R

Dodgers OF Mookie Betts: 2-of-4, 2B, RBI, R

Dodgers SS Corey Seager: 2-of-4, R, BB

Dodgers SP Walker Buehler: 3.2 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 K, 1 BB

Dodgers RP Brusdar Graterol: 1.0 IP (Win)

Astros SS Carlos Correa: 3-of-4, HR, 2B, R, 2 RBI

Astros SP Framber Valdez: 4.1 IP, 2 ER, 4 H, 2 K, 1 BB (Loss)

Tempers Flare in 6th

Benches cleared after the bottom of the sixth following a half-inning that saw Kelly throw behind Astros third baseman Alex Bregman before eventually tossing a breaking ball near Correa's chin.

Kelly eventually struck out Correa, and the two exchanged words as the pitcher walked off the mound. At that juncture, benches cleared, although nothing more came of it.

The Astros defeated the Dodgers four games to three to win the 2017 World Series. In January, Major League Baseball concluded that Houston had engaged in illegal sign-stealing practices during its World Series-winning run by using a system that included the center field camera, runners, garbage cans and more.

The resulting fallout included MLB suspending general manager Jeff Luhnow and manager AJ Hinch for one year apiece. Team owner Jim Crane eventually fired the duo. No players were punished.

Many of the players from those 2017 teams are still with Houston and Los Angeles, and Dodger players have made their feelings known about the Astros in various ways.

Of note, Dodgers outfielder and reigning National League MVP Cody Bellinger rebuffed the team's apologies in February and said that Houston second baseman Jose Altuve stole the American League MVP from New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge and that the 'Stros stole World Series rings from L.A.

This game marked the first time the two teams faced off since MLB's report dropped, and naturally, things got a little heated.

Kelly was a member of the Red Sox at the time, but he's a Dodger now as L.A. got at least some measure of revenge Tuesday with the win.

Dodgers Move Station to Station for 5 Runs in the 5th

Death by 1,000 paper cuts led to the Astros' demise in the fifth as the Dodgers sent 10 men to the plate and scored five runs despite (a) no one ever registering an extra-base hit and (b) no one ever moving more than one base at a time.

Astros southpaw Framber Valdez, who impressively navigated through four scoreless innings against the tough L.A. lineup, loaded the bases to start the fifth after allowing Corey Seager, AJ Pollock and Kike Hernandez singles.

After a Will Smith out, Enoli Paredes replaced Valdez, but he didn't have any more luck, walking Betts.

The game's turning point then occurred in the form of a Muncy ground ball to Bregman, who tried to get Pollock out at home but bounced a throw that catcher Martin Maldonado could not scoop for the force out.

Singles from Turner and Bellinger preceded a Taylor bases-loaded walk, and that's all L.A. would need for the 5-2 win.

In an era where home runs and strikeouts seemingly reign supreme, the Dodgers put up five in old-school fashion, which was good enough for the win as the team looks for its third NL pennant in four years.

What's Next?

The Dodgers will send Opening Day starter Dustin May to the mound for another battle with the Astros on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. ET. The Astros' starter is to be announced.

Following the two-game set, L.A. will head to Arizona and face the Diamondbacks for a three-game series beginning Thursday. Houston will travel to face the Los Angeles Angels beginning Friday for three contests.