The Dodgers slammed the Padres today early and often, cruising to a 10-2 victory off the back of two Cody Bellinger homers that amassed 4 RBI between them. The Dodgers scored 18 runs in the weekend series @ Petco Park, versus the Padres' six runs. True, the Padres stole a victory on Saturday in extras, 3-2. But a series victory is still a series victory, especially on the road (though there were many Dodgers fans in attendance for all three games, which was cool to see and hear). And the Dodgers' run differential of +44 is higher than any other team in the majors, including the Giants, who are only in the mix because of Gabe Kapler's unsportsmanlike penchant for running up the score.
But enough about teams who didn't advance in the 2021 NLDS.
This Post-Game Thread is about the Dodgers, whose dominance today was again very well rounded. Freddie Freeman added a two-run HR of his own in the third. Mookie Betts went 1-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored. Trea Turner, Justin Turner, Max Muncy, and Chris Taylor all had RBI. And even Hanser Alberto got a hit.
The Dodgers didn't violate any unwritten rules, either. Clayton Kershaw started and went the minimum five innings (third win of the season), and his three Ks today put him three strikeouts away from tying Don Sutton for the Dodgers franchise lead in strikeouts. The Dodgers trotted a number of relievers out there including Reyes "Good Times" Moronta and newly-recalled Garrett Cleavinger, and only Justin Bruihl yielded an earned run. And the Dodgers gave Edwin Rios and Zach McKinstry some playing time in the seventh inning, with the Dodgers nursing a 10-1 lead which had the game way out of reach.
Because that's the way you play the game.
Cody Bellinger is batting .273 this season with a .915 OPS, second only to Freeman. This is not what I expected from Bellinger. What a pleasant surprise.
No rest for the weary; the Dodgers take their MLB-leading record to Arizona for three games.
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