Dodgers hit 4 home runs to beat Reds

The Dodgers continued to have their way with the Reds, hitting four home runs in a 10-2 win on Saturday at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

The Dodgers are 5-0 against the Reds in 2017 and have beaten them seven straight times dating back to last season. The Dodgers have beaten the Reds 16 times in their last 18 meetings, dating back to 2015.

The bulk of the damage came in a five-run third inning, including a two-run double by Chris Taylor followed by back-to-back home runs by Cody Bellinger and Joc Pederson, for Pederson his second day in a row with a long ball.

Bellinger’s home run was his 19th, just one off the National League lead. He was in the minors for the first 20 games of the season.

Corey Seager was in the middle of things all day, with a double, single and three walks. It was his third career game reaching base five times, and his first since Aug. 22, 2016, also in Cincinnati. In his last seven games, Seager is 9-for-25 (.360) with five extra-base hits.

Yasiel Puig added insurance runs with solo home runs in the sixth and eighth innings, his second two-homer game of the season, then added a sacrifice fly in the ninth. Puig, who is hitting .313/.393/.583 with seven extra-base hits in June, has 12 home runs on the season, surpassing his totals for both 2015 and 2016.

Hyun-jin Ryu struggled in the first inning, then after the Dodgers put up a five-spot in the third inning Ryu opened the bottom of the frame with three singles and a walk. But he was able to limit the damage that inning to just one run, and made it through five allowing just two runs.

Ryu’s pitch count was high at 105, but he also struck out seven, and picked up his first win since May 18, four starts ago.

The Reds hit three triples on Saturday, the third time in the last 24 seasons the Dodgers have allowed three triples in a game. None of the three Reds who tripled on Saturday — Billy Hamilton, Devin Mesoraco, Jose Peraza — scored.

Cincinnati was 1-for-17 with runners in scoring position on Saturday.

Josh Ravin pitched the final two innings, his first appearance of the season. He was the 18th Dodgers pitcher used in 2017, and got his first career plate appearance. He grounded out.

Up next

The Dodgers go for the sweep on Sunday morning, with Kenta Maeda getting the start in the series finale. The Reds will turn to Bronson Arroyo in the 10:10 a.m. PT game.

Saturday particulars

Home runs: Cody Bellinger (19), Joc Pederson (4), Yasiel Puig 2 (12)

WP - Hyun-jin Ryu (3-6): 5 IP, 8 hits, 2 runs, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts

LP - Asher Wojciechowski (1-1): 2⅓ IP, 5 hits, 6 runs (5 earned), 1 walk, 5 strikeouts