The Los Angeles Dodgers were victorious in their Independence Day matchup against the San Diego Padres, coming away with a 5-1 win in front of a sold-out crowd at Dodger Stadium.
The victory was noteworthy for a multitude of reasons. For one, the Dodgers became the first team in all of baseball to reach 60 wins this season and further padded their double-digit lead in the National League West standings.
Moreover, Cody Bellinger continued adding his name to the record books in what has been a historic first half offensive performance. The 23-year-old joined Willie Mays (31 in 1954) as the only National Leagues players under 25 years old to hit at least 30 home runs before the All-Star break.
Bellinger also recently set a Dodgers franchise record for most home runs hit before the All-Star break. His two blasts against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday night (Nos. 28 and 29 on the season) helped him surpass Gil Hodges and Duke Snider, who previously shared the honor with 28 each.
Bellinger hit his 30th home run hours before the Fourth of July fireworks show at Dodger Stadium. In the midst of all of the records he has broken and the accolades that continue piling up, Bellinger is trying not to lose focus of simply being in the present, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“Just trying to keep going,” said Bellinger. “Just try to stay in the present the best I can. Not get too big-headed or too down on myself. I don’t try to listen to all those numbers.”
Given all of the success he has enjoyed this season, Bellinger is clearly looking to avoid getting too caught up with the nationwide attention surrounding him. It’s a sentiment he’s maintained after seemingly each impressive feat.
It’s no secret that Bellinger is currently producing one of the greatest offensive seasons in Dodgers history. He will represent the club as one of the three starting outfielders for the National League in the 2019 MLB All-Star Game at Progressive Field.
It’s his second career All-Star honor, and his first since a breakout rookie campaign in 2017. That season, Bellinger broke the NL rookie home run record with 39, and is well on his way of besting that total.
Entering Friday’s contest against the Padres, Bellinger leads the NL in runs scored (70), on-base percentage (.438), on-base plus slugging (1.149), OPS+ (197) and total bases (219). He has already accumulated 6.7 WAR (Baseball-Reference), which easily represents a career-high.
In 85 overall games this season, Bellinger is batting .344 with 19 doubles, two triples, 30 home runs, 71 RBI and eight stolen bases over 365 plate appearances.
