The Los Angeles Dodgers slugged their way to a historic 14-3 win in Wednesday’s series finale against the St. Louis Cardinals, led by Cody Bellinger’s big night at the plate.
The 25-year-old matched a career-high with six RBI — all of which came in the first inning, setting a franchise record in the process. Bellinger began his night with a two-run single and then hit a grand slam in his next at-bat to extend the Dodgers’ lead to 11-1.
“It’s always nice to see results. It definitely felt good,” Bellinger said after the game. “You can’t replicate big league pitching, so just to get the reps, get the routine down, just kind of feeling like a ballplayer again. It’s going good.”
Prior to Wednesday, Bellinger went hitless in 10 at-bats over his first three starts since coming off the injured list last Saturday. He wasn’t in the Dodgers lineup on Tuesday but wound up appearing off the bench and getting two at-bats.
“It definitely didn’t hurt,” Bellinger said of not starting Tuesday’s contest against the Cardinals. “Even though I was striking out a lot, I was still feeling relatively good at the plate.
“I was just missing some pitches, but that comes with routine and reps. I knew I was close. It was nice to get the first one (hit) out of the way [Tuesday], for sure. Just got to roll from there.”
Bellinger struck out in his first plate appearance on Tuesday but made the most of his next opportunity, collecting a ninth-inning single against Cardinals closer Alex Reyes. Although L.A. lost, Bellinger was happy to tally his first hit in nearly two months.
“Yeah,” Bellinger answered if his single helped him unlock something. “Like I said, the first one is always nice to get out of the way, no matter in what circumstance. Just for the confidence.
“But for myself, I’m going more off how I feel as opposed to results. I was feeling pretty good and knew I was close, but it definitely felt good to get the first one out of the way.”
Bellinger looked for ‘something he could hit’ on 3-0 count
Bellinger’s second at-bat in the bottom of the first inning started with Cardinals reliever Jake Woodford throwing three consecutive balls. Getting the green light, Bellinger turned on the fourth pitch and sent it into the right field pavilion.
“Getting something I could hit,” Bellinger said of what he looked for on the 3-0 count. “I hit it well and it was high. I was hoping I got enough. I thought he was going to rob it, to be honest. When I saw it go over the fence it was a good feeling.”
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