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Don’t worry, everyone. The Dodgers’ streak of winning every series to begin the season will continue. I know, I know, it was essentially life or death if they didn’t. LA took care of business on Sunday afternoon, taking down the Rangers, 7-2.
It was a strange day at the plate, as the Dodgers struck out 14 times. If I were to tell you that, you’d likely think they struggled at the plate, right? Instead, they scored seven runs while hitting three homers. Speaking of homers, the Dodgers set a National League record. For the month of August, they hit 57 homers, the most home runs in any calendar month in MLB history by an NL team.
Corey Seager got things started immediately in the first inning, swinging at the first pitch he saw for his ninth homer of the season.
Well, that didn't take long. pic.twitter.com/ixQJ4VEyNS
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 30, 2020
An inning later, Will Smith homered for the team’s 56th homer of the month, tying the NL record and setting the franchise record for homers in a month.
Breaking records.
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 30, 2020
With @will_smith30's homer, the Dodgers have set a new franchise record for homers in a month (56). pic.twitter.com/HbF7eMBSRV
An inning later, Cody Bellinger gave the Dodgers the record as he crushed his 10th homer of the season, giving LA their 57th homer of the month.
Another homer, another broken record!
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 30, 2020
The Dodgers have now set the NL record for most home runs in a month (57). pic.twitter.com/AlygWyl2eb
Tony Gonsolin showed he was human on Sunday, as he allowed his first run of the season. He cruised through the first two innings, needing only about 20 pitches to get through them. The third inning was a struggle for him, but you wouldn’t think so by looking at the box score.
Gonsolin threw 39 pitches in the third, and escaped a huge jam. He allowed the first four batters of the inning to reach, as the Rangers had the bases loaded with no outs. After bringing in a run, Gonsolin would retire the next three hitters. He was able to get a pop out and back-to-back strikeouts, escaping the inning having surrendered just one run.
That would be all for him, as Dave Roberts removed him after three innings. Over the remaining six innings, four Dodgers relievers combined to allow only one run while issuing no walks.
Sunday particulars
WP: Scott Alexander (2-0) 1 1⁄3 IP, 0 ER
LP: Kyle Gibson (1-4) 5 IP, 4 ER, 8 SO, 4 BB
Home runs: Corey Seager (9) Will Smith (4) Cody Bellinger (10)
Up next
The Dodgers have an off-day tomorrow before resuming play on Tuesday against the D-Backs. Just a reminder, tomorrow is the trade deadline!