The Los Angeles Dodgers suffered a four-game sweep at the hands of the Cincinnati Reds this weekend, as sloppy play ultimately sunk the club to a season-worst eight games under .500.
That especially held true on Saturday, when the Dodgers let a potential win slip through their fingers after the bullpen squandered an early lead by yielding four runs in the sixth inning. In the face of adversity once again, Los Angeles trailed by two runs entering the ninth.
With one out in the inning, Cody Bellinger worked a 3-0 count to his favor and would’ve brought the tying run up to the plate if he reached base. But Bellinger ignored a take sign and ultimately bunted into the second out of the inning — virtually ending any hope of a comeback victory.
Afterward, Bellinger owned up to his mistake, to the liking of Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“He understands. We talked,” said Roberts. “Cody’s a great young man. He cares. He just wants to do well. But there’s a process you have to abide by and he’s learning, we’re all learning. Cody is a talented player who’s going to continue to get better.”
“He, to his credit, came in last night and addressed it and took accountability for it,” said Roberts. “So for me, as a young player, that’s the biggest win. To not make an excuse and own it and we move on.”
Bellinger was benched last month for not hustling out a double at AT&T Park, leading to speculation that he would once again be disciplined.
But the 23-year-old immediately recognized he was in the wrong and said he regretted the decision of disregarding the take sign.
Roberts pointed out the growth and maturity Bellinger displayed by apologizing, which enabled him to be in the lineup for Sunday’s finale against the Reds.
