Dodgers break franchise record for home runs in a month

The Dodgers have powered their way to the top of the National League West thanks to a strong June, and did so almost literally by hitting more home runs than in any other month in the 134-year history of the franchise.

With three home runs on Thursday night against the Angels, the Dodgers have a whopping 50 home runs this month in 27 games, with one more June game remaining Friday in San Diego.

The old Dodgers record was 49 home runs, set by the juggernaut 1953 Brooklyn team that did so in July, then matched it in August.

Yasiel Puig hit the first home run of the night, in the fifth inning against Angels starter JC Ramirez. One out later, Chase Utley followed with a solo shot of his own.

Joc Pederson hit the record-breaking 50th home run with a three-run shot in the sixth inning.

The club set the LA Dodgers record for home runs on Wednesday night, surpassing the 45 long balls hit in July 2004.

The leading culprit in the Dodgers’ June power surge has been Cody Bellinger, whose 13 home runs is just two shy of the franchise individual monthly home run record. But the rest of the home runs have been spread pretty evenly, with Puig and Pederson at six home runs, Corey Seager, and Yasmani Grandal hitting five each, Justin Turner and Kiké Hernandez each hitting four home runs, and Chris Taylor adding three.

The Dodgers tied an LA franchise mark with 17 straight games with a home run, a streak that was snapped on Monday night against the Angels at Dodger Stadium.

With 112 home runs in 81 games, the Dodgers are on pace to break their franchise record of 211 home runs in season, set in 2000. That club averaged 1.30 home runs per game, while the 1953 Brooklyn squad — in 155 games — averaged 1.34 per game in their 208-homer season.

The 2017 Dodgers are averaging 1.38 home runs per game.