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In only took 1⁄3 of the season to get to this point, but Cody Bellinger FINALLY had a great game at the plate AND the Dodgers are now in first place, thanks to their 7-4 victory over the Angels.
With the Rockies loss and the Dodgers’ win, LA now is up by a game in the NL West.
When talking about tonight’s game, we need to begin with Bellinger. Coming into the game, he was one of the worst hitters in all of baseball. No, seriously. Among qualified hitters, his batting average and OPS were near the bottom. Now, although he had been struggling at the plate, he was constantly making hard contact and his strikeout numbers were down. It was only a matter of time until things started going his way. And tonight, they did.
Entering the sixth inning, the Dodgers were hanging on to a tight 2-1 lead. With a runner on first, Bellinger stepped up to the plate. After a quiet night at the plate, Bellinger sent this 0-2 pitch into the stands for his third home run of the season.
Agent Cody Rakes. pic.twitter.com/MP71ERiqBB
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 15, 2020
Just two innings later, Bellinger was back at the plate. He showed the crazy power he has, going opposite field this time for his fourth homer of the night.
Hitting homers is a lifestyle. pic.twitter.com/IE1xM0WWU7
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 15, 2020
Kershaw deals
Making the start for the Dodgers was Clayton Kershaw. It was a rough outing for Kershaw his last go-around. He threw only 4 1⁄3 innings, allowing four runs along with three homers. Yeah, he bounced back quite nicely tonight.
Kershaw was dominant, throwing seven innings of one hit ball. The lone hit he allowed came in the fifth inning as Anthony Rendon led the inning off with a home run. He finished the night with seven innings, a rarity for a Dodgers starter in 2020. Not that they needed rest, because they’ve been so dominant, but eating innings was an added bonus for the Dodgers.
He also added six strikeouts and two walks.
The bullpen did allow three runs, but hey, they were due.
Friday particulars
WP: Clayton Kershaw (2-1) 7 IP, 1 ER, 1 H, 6 SO
LP: Patrick Sandoval (0-2) 6 IP, 4 ER, 5 SO
SV: Kenley Jansen (5) 1⁄3 IP, 1 SO
Home runs: Cody Bellinger, 2 (4), Anthony Rendon (5)
Up next
The Dodgers will look for the series win tomorrow. Walker Buehler (0-0, 4.40 ERA) takes the mound. He’ll face Andrew Heaney (1-1, 4.26 ERA). First pitch is at 6:40 p.m. PT on SportsNet LA, Fox Sports West, and MLB Network (out of market).