Mookie Betts spent so much time in the batting cage Thursday afternoon that his hands were raw, the Dodgers right fielder determined to find his stroke after his disappearing act in the first two games of a showdown series against the San Diego Padres.
“I took about 300-400 swings today,” Betts said. “I hit for like an hour and a half straight, and then I hit for 30 minutes earlier in the day, so I hit all day. This matters to me. I want to win. I know I go through these spells, but I promise you, it’s not from lack of effort.