Betts Defense Talk After Dodgers Loss

Betts meets with management after Teoscar Hernández's two defensive miscues in a 4-3 loss to the Rockies.

Betts Holds Defense Talk After Dodgers Loss to Rockies

The Dodgers fell 4-3 in a walk-off at Coors Field after Teoscar Hernández made two costly plays in right field. Hernández threw to the wrong base in the third inning and later failed to secure a bloop double in the ninth, setting up Colorado’s late rally. Mookie Betts then met with manager Dave Roberts and Andrew Friedman in Roberts’ office to discuss what went wrong and how to fix it.

The meeting signals that the team is weighing defensive alignments and lineup options, including moving Betts back to right field and using Alex Freeland or Miguel Rojas at short, to strengthen defense while keeping Hernández in the lineup for his bat. The Dodgers, who still lead the NL West, face a quick rebound after a painful defeat to the last-place Rockies.

This game exposes a tension that goes beyond one bad inning. Defense at the edges matters in big parks and late-season pressure, and Roberts’ proposed swing back to Betts at right field shows the emphasis on reliability in the field. If the Dodgers want a stronger late-inning defense, some internal shuffles may be needed, even with the risk of disrupting familiar offensive rhythms.

The challenge is balancing Hernández’s power with his range on the road. Conforto’s slump (hitting .190) tightens the need for Hernandez at the plate, but the team cannot ignore the holes Hernández creates in right. Over the next few games, management will decide how aggressive to be with the defensive reallocation and how much weight to place on preventing runs versus maintaining lineup punch.

Highlights

The road ahead will test whether defense can travel with a lineup built for power and speed.