Dodgers hit Seven Home Runs, Beat Brewers 21 to 5

The Dodgers scored 18 runs in their previous six games. Tonight, it took them 6.2 innings to reach that number. Behind seven home runs and yet another dominant Clayton Kershaw start, the Dodgers defeated the Brewers 21-5. The 21 runs are the most runs scored by a team in Dodger Stadium history. With the win, LA split the series at two games a piece, and took the season series 4-3.

Milwaukee quickly jumped out to a 1-0 lead. Christian Yelich doubled (surprise, surprise) and scored on a wild pitch from Kershaw. Their lead was short lived, however, as Joc Pederson responded with a lead-off homer in the bottom frame.

No doubt about that one. ? #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/xXflIgq8FY

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 3, 2018

For the Dodgers, this gave them back-to-back home runs over two games, dating back to Yasmani Grandal’s walk-off home run the previous night. The last time LA did that was back on May 3-4 of 2015. The players from those games? You guessed it. Yasmani and Joc, in the same roles.

The Brewers looked to threaten in the third, as they had runners on first and third with no outs and the heart of the order coming up. Kershaw struck out Yelich, Jesus Aguilar lined out, and Jonathan Schoop struck out to strand the runners on the base paths and avoid serious damage.

Errors and a Foul Pole

The Dodgers scored five runs in the third inning, and they all came unconventionally. Joc Pederson would reach on an error by Schoop, and would eventually come in to score on an error from Orlando Arcia. Justin Turner would be hit with a pitch, and Yasmani Grandal would walk, bringing up Cody Bellinger with the bases loaded. On an 0-1 pitch, Bellinger launched one high into the beautiful LA sky. The ball plunked off the foul pole, giving Cody Bellinger his third career grand-slam, and more importantly, giving the Dodgers a 6-1 lead.

Life is grand. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/nh2W4Kkrpr

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 3, 2018

The Brewers threatened again in the fourth. They put runners on first and second, but were unable to capitalize, as starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin grounded out to end the frame.

Yasiel Puig added one in the fourth, as he connected on his 13th home run of the season.

A casual reminder that after that home run, Yasiel Puig's OPS since May 9 (when he came off the DL for the first time) is now better than .950

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) August 3, 2018

The New Guy

It’s only been two games, but Brian Dozier is already becoming a fan-favorite. In his Dodgers debut, he went 3-for-4, including hitting a home run. His encore performance? How about a three-run homer.

So glad @briandozier's part of our Crew. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/5Cl2UsiQGC

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 3, 2018

Though it’s early, and impossible to determine through two games, it looks as if the Dodgers have already won the trade.

In two games, Brian Dozier has hit as many home runs for the Dodgers this season as Logan Forsythe did.

— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) August 3, 2018

The Runs Just Keep on Coming

Fresh off the DL, Justin Turner connected for his sixth homer of the year in the sixth inning.

Dodgers have hit every type of homer tonight:
-Pederson/Puig (solo)
-Turner (2-run)
-Dozier (3-run)
-Bellinger (grand slam)

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) August 3, 2018

The hits and runs didn’t stop there. Max Muncy ended his cold streak by scorching a double down the right field line. He would come in to score on a Yasiel Puig double, giving the Dodgers a 13-5 lead. The run parade didn’t stop there. After a Chris Taylor walk, Joc Pederson stepped up to the plate with two on. Pederson sent one into the right field stands for his second homer of the night and 16th on the season, giving LA a 16-5 lead.

With the game out of reach, the Brewers brought in position player Hernán Pérez to pitch. This was the second time pitching against the Dodgers this season for the right-hander. Safe to say, things didn’t go as smoothly this time. 

A few more hits and a ground out would give them a 17-5 edge. It didn’t stop there. Brian Dozier and Max Muncy hit back-to-back doubles. Yasiel Puig hit another home run. After this, the score was 21-5 (!!!).

Not sure how @YasielPuig was able to catch up to that heat. ? pic.twitter.com/YR3XXUIrg9

— MLB (@MLB) August 3, 2018

The @Dodgers have set a Dodger Stadium record with 21 runs so far tonight.

All 3 starting #Dodgers outfielders (Pederson, Bellinger, Puig) have 4+ RBI. The only other OF trio to do that since RBI became official:

Milwaukee Braves on 7/26/1964:
Hank Aaron, Rico Carty, Lee Maye

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) August 3, 2018

Kershaw looking like Kershaw

Lost in this offensive onslaught was the fact that Clayton Kershaw started this game. After a rocky first inning,  Kershaw settled down and looked like the Kershaw of old, the one we’ve been seeing over the last month of the season. For the sixth straight start, Clayton went at least six innings. He allowed two runs in his six frames, while striking out seven. Helping his own cause, Kershaw singled. He now has a base-hit in back-to-back games.

Analysis

Wow. What a game. So many runs, and so many hits. With the exception of Austin Barnes, every Dodgers player with an at-bat recorded a hit. After losing three in a row, LA looks to be back on track after impressive back-to-back wins. The World Series champs come into town this week, which looks to give for an amazing three-game set. Hopefully the Dodgers can continue this offensive surge, and get at least a little payback in a crucial rematch of the World Series.