Yasiel Puig went opposite field for a two-run home run in the third inning, giving the Los Angeles Dodgers a 2-0 lead over the Cleveland Indians. Normally, Clayton Kershaw is capable of making the relatively slim lead stand.
However, Kershaw wasn’t particularly sharp in his first career start at Progressive Field. He was specifically hampered by spotty fastball command. The Indians cashed in a leadoff double on a two-out single in the bottom of the third, and Roberto Perez’s home run in the fifth tied it.
Los Angeles loaded with the bases with two outs in the seventh inning, which knocked Trevor Bauer out of the game. Andrew Miller squashed the threat by striking out Puig.
However, Miller surrendered a go-ahead solo home run to Cody Bellinger in the eighth. The home run was the first Miller allowed this season.
The Dodgers tacked on an insurance run later that inning when the Indians failed to turn a double play. Bellinger then provided more, and what ultimately proved to be necessary, breathing room in the ninth.
Boone Logan inherited two runners with nobody out and promptly allowed a three-run home run to Bellinger. The multi-home run game was Bellinger’s fourth of his career. Mike Piazza (1993) and Corey Seager (2016) are the only other Dodgers rookies to accomplish as much.
It was also the second time in as many games Bellinger slugged a pair of home runs. His heroics on Tuesday were instrumental in the Dodgers extending their winning streak to five games.
