David Robertson strikes out Dodgers’ Betts, Ohtani, Freeman in Rangers’ win

LOS ANGELES — On Wednesday night, David Robertson became the first pitcher to strike out the Dodgers’ big three of Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman in the same inning this season.

After the game, he downplayed his accomplishment. It wasn’t that big of a deal to him. After all, the Rangers won. That’s all that mattered.

“I mean, listen, they pay me to come in and pitch,” he said on Wednesday. “That’s what I do. Doesn’t matter who’s coming up in the box, I’m paid to try to get them out and they’re paid to try to score runs off me. so I don’t think too much beyond that. I got three outs. I’m gonna throw my best stuff and they’re gonna do what they do and hopefully I come out on top and that way the Rangers win.”

So easy, in fact, that he was able to do it again on Thursday in a key sequence that helped the Rangers win the finale, 3-1.

With runners on the corners with no outs in the eighth inning, Robertson had the chance to repeat his feat from the previous night.

It was nearly identical as well. He struck out Betts and Ohtani on a combined six pitches. Then Freeman made him work. But whereas it took nine pitches to strike out Freeman on Wednesday night, it only took a measly five on Thursday, the dagger being a 88.6 mph knuckle curve on the inside corner to get Freeman chasing.

Robertson had never retired Freeman before this week (4-for-4 with a walk).

“Freddie!?” Robertson questioned on Wednesday. “Jesus, he hits everything I throw. I showed him almost every pitch I had. I said on the radio interview that I think the last time I got him out was in Spring Training when he was a Brave. He’s just a hell of a hitter, he’s tough to get out.”