After regressing a bit during his sophomore season, Cody Bellinger has come out swinging in 2019 and seemingly motivated to prove his record-breaking rookie year with the Los Angeles Dodgers was not a fluke.
After hitting four home runs in the Opening Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Bellinger took a break from going deep in Monday night’s series opener against the San Francisco Giants.
He got back to his home run ways on Tuesday though, perhaps hitting his biggest blast of the season so far. With the Dodgers leading 1-0 in the bottom of the third inning against Giants ace Madison Bumgarner, Bellinger stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs.
What Bellinger proceeded to do was unload on an outside fastball, launching a line-drive grand slam to straightaway center field to break the game open, leading to a 6-5 victory for the Dodgers.
The long ball was Bellinger’s fifth in six games this season, which is tied with Oakland Athletics designated hitter Khris Davis for the most in baseball. The four RBI also brought him up to 12 on the season, which is tops in the sport.
In addition to Bellinger, Hyun-Jin Ryu also shined on Tuesday night. Ryu tossed seven strong innings, allowing six hits and two runs while striking out five. He earned second victory in as many starts this season.
The Dodgers’ bullpen was once again rocky, but closer Kenley Jansen got Pablo Sandoval to hit a game-ending double play ball when the tying run was just 90 feet away.
Turn it. pic.twitter.com/zUlpqNYzSF
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 3, 2019
