Corey Seager hits 3 home runs as Dodgers beat Mets again

Just how hot is the surface of the sun? The Dodgers’ dueling Icaroses are trying to find out, and both were at it again in Tuesday night’s 12-0 walloping of the Mets at Dodger Stadium.

Corey Seager continued his All-Star push with three home runs and a double, the first four-extra-base-hit game of his career. Seager hit a two-run shot in the first inning, doubled in the second, hit a solo shot in the fourth inning, then a three-run jack in the sixth inning.

He is just the fourth Dodger ever with two games of three or more home runs in his career, joining Duke Snider, Shawn Green, and Adrian Gonzalez.

Seager had a shot at hitting a fourth home run. He flew out to deep left field, just shy of the warning track, with the bases loaded in the sixth inning. He ended his night with six RBI, the most by a Dodger this season.

Did I mention he’s 23?

Over Seager’s last 10 games, he is 17-for-41 (.415) with four home runs, five doubles, 11 runs, and 13 RBI.

Seager hit .308/.365/.512 as a rookie, with a 137 wRC+. This season, the shortstop is hitting .293/.399/.506 with a 142 wRC+. After bashing 40 doubles and 26 home runs in 2016, Seager is on pace for 43 doubles and 27 home runs in 2017.

Bellinger still on fire

Two batters after Seager homered in the first inning, Cody Bellinger hit a two-run shot of his own, widening his National League lead in home runs, with 22 on the season. Bellinger now has 10 home runs in his last 10 games, the only rookie in MLB history to do so, per Elias.

Bellinger is just the second Dodger ever with 10 home runs in 10 games. Green back in 2002 had 10 home runs in a seven-game stretch, including his epic four-homer game.

In his last 10 games, Bellinger is 16-for-43 (.372) with 10 home runs, 18 RBI, and 13 runs scored.

Only three Dodgers ever have hit more home runs in the first 72 team games than Bellinger’s 22 this season — Gil Hodges (25 in 1951), Gary Sheffield (25 in 2000), and Duke Snider (24 in 1955).

Did I mention Bellinger is 22 ... next month?

The Dodgers matched their season high with five home runs on Tuesday.

McCarthy rolling

With all of that offense, it was easy to miss out on yet another strong outing by Brandon McCarthy, who threw six scoreless innings, with four strikeouts and just four hits allowed.

The right-hander improved to 6-3 on the season, and in his last six starts has allowed just six total runs, with a 1.57 ERA, 25 strikeouts and eight walks during that span.

Early offense

One night after opening the game with five consecutive hits, the Dodgers bombarded the Mets by having the first four men reach base on Tuesday. One of those was by error, but there was enough thunder thanks to the home runs by Seager and Bellinger.

The Dodgers led 4-0 after the first inning for a second consecutive evening, and improved to 33-7 when scoring first this season.

The Dodgers haven’t trailed in a game since Thursday in Cleveland.

After three innings, the Dodgers have led the last four games — beginning on Saturday in Cincinnati -- 6-2, 5-0, 7-1, and 4-0.

3-inning save-apalooza

Brock Stewart made his 2017 debut on Tuesday, the 19th Dodgers pitcher used this season. Staked to a 12-0 lead, Stewart pitched the final three innings, the fourth different Dodgers pitcher to record a save of at least three innings this season, joining Ross Stripling, Hyun-jin Ryu (four innings), and Kenta Maeda (four innings).

The last time the Dodgers had at least four saves of at least three innings in a season was 1988, when they had six. Four different pitchers shared the load that season, with Alejandro Peña picking up three of the extended saves, joined by Tim Belcher (four innings), Fernando Valenzuela (four innings), and Jesse Orosco.

Stewart hit a batter and walked another but allowed nothing else, striking out four.

Up next

The Dodgers look for a sixth consecutive win on Wednesday night, sending Rich Hill to the mound in search of a turnaround. The Mets will turn to San Dimas native and Cal State Fullerton alum Tyler Pill in his fifth major league game.

Wednesday’s 7:10 p.m PT game will also be broadcast on ESPN again, with no blackouts in Los Angeles.

Tuesday particulars

Home runs: Corey Seager 3 (12), Cody Bellinger (22), Yasmani Grandal (7)

WP - Brandon McCarthy (6-3): 6 IP, 4 hits, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts

LP - Robert Gsellman (5-5): 4⅓ IP, 9 hits, 8 runs (7 earned), 3 walks, 2 strikeouts

Sv - Brock Stewart (1): 3 IP, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts