The Los Angeles Dodgers were on the wrong end of MLB history as they suffered consecutive 1-0 losses to the San Francisco Giants, with Joe Panik’s solo home run in each game proving the difference.
But the Dodgers have steadily found their strokes at the plate since Saturday. That amounted to a 13-hit explosion on Sunday, resulting in a 9-0 victory to earn a split of the Opening Series at Dodger Stadium.
Giants right-hander Chris Stratton lost his no-hitter when Corey Seager led off the bottom of the first with a base hit. Yasiel Puig followed with a single of his own to put two on with nobody out.
Then, as he’s done several times throughout his career, Puig made matters interesting on the basepaths. Cody Bellinger lifted a fly ball to left-center field, which was deep enough for Seager to tag.
Puig attempted to do the same, and was caught in a rundown. But not only did Puig manage to get back to first base safely, he kept the play alive long enough for Seager to score. “I said thank you for being an idiot,” Bellinger joked.
Puig atoned for his blunder in the bottom of the sixth by lining an RBI double to center field. Yasmani Grandal hit an RBI single, and Bellinger went to the opposite field for a two-run homer that extended the Dodgers’ lead to 5-0.
The hit and home run were both firsts for Bellinger this season. He singled in the eighth inning and is 2-for-13 through four games this season.
Bellinger’s single in the eighth was the last of three straight, which loaded the bases. Kiké Hernandez hit a two-run double, Joc Pederson’s sacrifice fly brought in another run, and Austin Barnes’ two-out RBI base hit capped off the Dodgers’ second four-run inning of the game.
