The Los Angeles Dodgers had a record-setting first inning and went on for a 14-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals to finish their homestand on a positive note.
The Cardinals were first to score thanks to Paul Goldschmidt’s solo home run off Walker Buehler in the first inning. The homer was Goldschmidt’s 33rd of his career against the Dodgers, which is most among active players. That wound up being one of the few highlights for the Cardinals.
Carlos Martinez failed to record an out until facing Buehler in the bottom of the first. Justin Turner’s RBI single pulled the Dodgers even, and Cody Bellinger driving in a pair on his base hit put them ahead.
Gavin Lux plated Bellinger with a long single off the wall in center field. Zach McKinstry kept the line moving with an RBI single and Betts produced the same in his second at-bat.
The inning was then capped off by Bellinger’s grand slam against Cardinals reliever Jake Woodford, whose first three pitches were all for ball.
He's back. 🤩 pic.twitter.com/31KrXuOOuA
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 3, 2021
Green light. Grand slam. pic.twitter.com/PWy1nk1Mvw
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 3, 2021
Ok, Buehler. 😎👏 pic.twitter.com/eJc9PbKO22
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) June 3, 2021
The Dodgers sent 14 batters to the plate in the first inning, collected seven hits, drew four walks and had one stolen base en route to scoring 11 runs.
Along with matching his overall career high, Bellinger set a Dodgers franchise record with six RBI in one inning. The Dodgers’ 11 runs in an inning were their most in L.A. franchise history for the regular season.
They only scored again in the fourth inning when Buehler helped his cause with a dribbler inside the first-base line for a two-run double. Betts then followed with an RBI single, his third hit of the game.
On the mound, Buehler allowed three runs and collected eight strikeouts over six innings.
Uceta, Vesia finish game for Dodgers
Likely to be optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City when Jimmy Nelson is reinstated from the 10-day injured list this weekend, Edwin Uceta completed two scoreless innings. He was denied an opportunity at a three-inning save, as Alex Vesia handled the ninth and struck out the side.
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