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Cody Bellinger delivered in the clutch, as his go-ahead home run in the ninth inning helped give the Dodgers the 6-5 victory over the Brewers.
It looked good for the Dodgers late in the game, as they held a three-run lead in the eighth. With two outs, the Brewers had two runners on. Dave Roberts turned to Kenley Jansen to get the four-out save. On a full count, Eric Thames took Jansen deep, tying the game at five.
After back-to-back strikeouts to start the ninth, it looked as if the Dodgers would go in order against Josh Hader. Bellinger stepped in, and quickly fell behind in the count 0-2. After seeing one miss the zone, the count stood at 1-2. Hader threw an 82 mph slider down the heart of the plate, and Bellinger made him pay. He launched his 11th homer of the season over the right field fence, and gave the Dodgers a one-run lead.
ENDGAME. pic.twitter.com/U3pnKG1r8c
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 21, 2019
Jansen stayed in the game in the bottom of the ninth. He struck out the side, and gave the Dodgers the 6-5 victory.
Joc Pederson’s incredible birthday
Lost in the late-inning drama was the incredible performance from Joc Pederson on his birthday. He got things started right away, hitting a leadoff homer two pitches into the game. For Pederson, he’s established himself as one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball over the last season.
That was Joc Pederson's 13th career leadoff homer. Since the start of the 2018 season, Pederson leads the Majors with 10 leadoff HRs
— Blake Harris (@BlakeHarrisTBLA) April 21, 2019
Just a few innings later, Pederson connected on his second homer of the night. It was his 10th of the year, which at the moment was the second most in the National League. He finished the game with four hits and three runs.
When it’s your birthday, you treat yo self.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 21, 2019
(Dodgers x @budweiserusa) pic.twitter.com/6d9hq8zWQx
Clayton Kershaw’s outing
Making his second start of the season, Kershaw allowed two runs in six innings. He held the Brewers hitless through the first four, before allowing two runs in the fifth. He struck out seven, a season-high, though he allowed four walks.
Just another day at the office for Kersh. pic.twitter.com/Nx7DAKIFhf
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 21, 2019
Sunday particulars
WP: Kenley Jansen (2-0) 1 1⁄3 IP, 1 ER, 3 SO
LP: Josh Hader (0-2) 1 IP, 1 ER, 3 SO
Home runs: Cody Bellinger (11), Joc Pederson 2 (10), Eric Thames (4)
Up next
The Dodgers will travel to Chicago to take on the Cubs. They have Monday off, but will send Kenta Maeda to the mound on Tuesday. First pitch is at 5:05 pm PT.