Dodgers explode for 17 runs in a blowout over the Pirates

The talk surrounding the Dodgers over the last month has been about all the homers they’ve hit. They did plenty of that Monday, hitting a total of four Monday night.

But the homers only accounted for about a third of their runs as they collected 21 hits in a 17-1 drubbing of the Pirates in the series opener.

The win moves Los Angeles to within 1.5-games of first place in the National League West after the Diamondbacks lost to the Cardinals.

The Dodgers batted around in the fourth, fifth and sixth inning, sending 28 hitters to the plate in those three frames. That doesn’t include the seven Dodgers who hit in the third inning.

Six different players had multiple hits, none better than Matt Kemp with five hits, knocking in four for the second straight game. Kemp has hit safely in eight straight at-bats going back to Sunday to stat July on an absolute tear.

Yasiel Puig drove in four runs on three hits and grounded into a force out to bring in another. Yasmani Grandal reached base five times, with two hits and three walks — one of which happened with the bases loaded to bring in a run. Chris Taylor reached base four times with three hits and a walk, driving in two.

Cody Bellinger reached base three times and drove in two with an RBI-single and his 17th homer of the year in the third inning. Not to be outdone, Max Muncy took the team lead right back with his 18th as part of a back-to-back with Joc Pederson to lead off the third.

Every Dodger starter had at least one hit by the fourth inning.

As if all the runs weren’t enough in this game, Caleb Ferguson came on to relieve Alex Wood after the sixth inning and pitched three scoreless for a fantastic three-inning save.

Wood balanced his books with his fifth win this season, giving up just one run on a homer. The lefty scattered six hits over six innings, striking out three without walking a batter.

Up Next

The Dodgers will look to continue their offensive outburst Tuesday when they play game two of the three-game set with the Pirates. Ivan Nova (4-5, 4.02 ERA) will take his shot against Clayton Kershaw (1-4, 2.84).

Monday particulars

Home runs: Cody Bellinger (17), Joc Pederson (12), Max Muncy (18), Matt Kemp (15), Elias Diaz (1)

WP - Alex Wood (5-5): 6 IP, 1 run, 3 strikeouts

LP - Nick Kingham (2-4): 8 IP, 7 hits, 5 runs, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts

SV - Caleb Ferguson (1): 3 IP, 3 hits, 1 strikeout