After scoring 26 runs in three games against the Philadelphia Phillies, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ bats went cold as they had managed just three runs in the first two of a four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds.
Meanwhile, Cincinnati pummeled Dodgers’ pitching to extend their winning streak to five games. After managing just three hits Saturday and enduring a rain delay that lasted more than an hour, Los Angeles was looking to pick themselves up off the mat Sunday afternoon Great American Ball Park.
The back-to-back losses and overall three-game losing streak put Los Angeles back into second place behind the San Francisco Giants in the National League West.
With the Dodgers in need of a jolt, veteran second baseman provided just that by hitting a leadoff home run off Reds starter Anthony DeSclafani.
Video of Utley’s third career leadoff home run, all of which have come with the Dodgers, is provided via the club’s Twitter account:
Chase being Chase. ?https://t.co/p3dku7UqJi
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 21, 2016
The home run was Utley’s third on the current road trip and 50th of his career. Utley slugged a pair of homers, including a grand slam, against the Philadelphia Phillies in his first visit to Citizens Bank Park since being traded last August.
Overall this season, Utley has 11 home runs, 41 RBIs and 61 runs scored. On top of providing the Dodgers an early lead, he added to it with an RBI single in the third inning.
Los Angeles went on for a 4-0 victory, which coupled with the Giants’ loss Sunday evening, put the Dodgers in first place in the NL West with a half-game lead.
