After an encouraging showing in Spring Training, Cody Bellinger carried that success into the regular season as he got off to a historic start. Bellinger set multiple franchise and MLB records before May 1, and he started the season with a 10-game hitting streak.
Included in that was a stellar showing throughout the Opening Series the Arizona Diamondbacks. First, Bellinger helped the Dodgers set an Opening Day record with eight home runs. Two nights later, he produced a four-hit performance in an 18-5 rout of the Diamondbacks.
The four hits wound up tying for a season high (also done July 15 against the Philadelphia Phillies). In both cases, half of Bellinger’s hits in those games were a home run.
But his first time doing so in 2019 has been ranked by DodgerBlue.com as the No. 9 highlight for Bellinger in an MVP season.
Sheesh, @Cody_Bellinger. pic.twitter.com/F4Jc9fMnp2
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 31, 2019
Prior to unloading on the Diamondbacks, Bellinger’s RBI single in the third inning extended the Dodgers’ lead to 4-1. His first long ball of the night came in the fifth inning and gave L.A. a 6-2 advantage.
Rather than burn a relief pitcher in what was shaping to be a lopsided loss, the Diamondbacks sent catcher John Ryan Murphy to the mound in the seventh inning. He allowed seven runs over two innings, including a towering two-run homer to Bellinger in the eighth.
Bellinger was 4-for-6 and collected a game-high six RBI. He finished the season batting .305/.406/.629 with 34 doubles, 47 home runs and 115 RBI. Bellinger set career highs in total hits (170), runs scored (121), doubles, home runs, RBI and stolen bases (15).
He was particularly successful against the Diamondbacks, hitting a blistering .373/.447/.910 with five doubles, two triples, nine home runs and 18 RBI over 17 games (16 starts).
Best Cody Bellinger Plays From 2019 NL MVP Season
No. 10: Home run on bobblehead night
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