After being shut out in their first two games of the season and though they won, managing only four hits in their third, the Los Angeles Dodgers bats came alive to the tune of nine runs and 13 hits in their Opening Series finale to defeat the San Francisco Giants.
They were led by Cody Bellinger, as he went 2-for-4, including hitting the Dodgers’ first home run of the season while driving in and scoring two runs. The homer was also Bellinger’s first hit of the year.
“I think that was more of what we did last year,” Bellinger said. of the outburst. “Top of the order, bottom of the order, it didn’t really matter everyone was kind of hitting.
“And it’s just a matter of time, I think nerves are starting to go away and we can start getting to being able to play baseball again, just not straight adrenaline.”
Bellinger started the season 0-for-9 until hitting his home run. Naturally, it brought about mounting pressure for the 2017 National League Rookie of the Year.
“There’s definitely more pressure of getting that first hit when 0-for-8 feels like 0-for-20 in the first series,” Bellinger admitted. “But like I said, it’s still the first series, we got 150-something more games to go so I don’t think anyone’s really worried.”
Bellinger led the Dodgers with 39 home runs and 97 RBI in his rookie campaign, carrying the team offensively for much of the summer. So despite the slow start, the Dodgers have no reason to be concerned about their young first baseman, who broke out in a big way Sunday night.
Both Bellinger and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts previously voiced confidence the young first baseman would to avoid a sophomore slump this year.
