This weekend, the Los Angeles Dodgers played a three-game series against the division-rival San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Many of the Dodger-faithful made the trek ‘down the I-5‘ to fill the stands and show their support. The Boys in Blue took the series, winning two of the three matchups, with the final game being a complete rout with a score of 10-2 when the dust finally settled.

The team was firing on all cylinders Sunday. The offense’s bats worked to bolster left-handed ace and future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw as he led the charge, followed by some help from the bullpen. Kershaw pitched five innings with only four hits, one run, no walks, and three strikeouts.

So far this season, the Dodgers have been known for having a single breakout inning but found their groove against San Diego’s left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea when they were able to tack on runs in multiple innings for a welcome change. A combination of some small ball and a few powerful home runs helped cement the lead.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts had some positive comments about how well the offense did in his postgame interview.

“For us, it was kinda the first time all year we tacked on runs and got to some lower leverage guys in their pen. Really kind of allowed for us to reset our pen, which was big,” Roberts said.

First baseman Freddie Freeman and center fielder Cody Bellinger were able to hit the ball out of the park in addition to the many runs scored by the team. More notably, Bellinger did it twice on Sunday. First was a solo home run on a fly ball to center field in the top of the fourth inning and later with a three-run homer in the same spot at the top of the fifth inning.

Fans are very well aware of how much Bellinger has been grinding it out in his at-bats, trying to fine-tune his swing. He mentioned his outlook on hitting after the game with SportsNet LA’s Kirsten Watson.

“I focused more on getting them in the zone and just staying with my approach, putting a good swing on it,” said the 26-year-old Scottsdale, AZ native and Dodgers fourth-round draft pick in 2013 out of Hamilton High School in Chandler, AZ. “I’m feeling good, you know. Like I always say, ‘Every day is a grind.’ It’s a really hard game. Just going out there and competing and just trying to get the job done.”

Fans watching the game on television may have noticed the camera highlighting infielder Gavin Lux bear hugging Bellinger in the dugout after the second home run. The emotion made the hug last longer than normal – it was a heart-warming moment between teammates. When asked about it after the game, Bellinger chuckled before replying.

“He’s just my boy. We’ve been in this organization for a while together, so just words of encouragement for sure,” Bellinger said.

Roberts is pleased with his center fielder’s recent contributions, as well.

“Right now, the way he’s swinging the bat, a tough left-hander (pitching), just two homers, two big hits for us,” Roberts said postgame. “And he’s still playing Gold Glove defense, so a really big boost for all of us.”

By all accounts, it appears that Bellinger has finally rediscovered his swing – the one that earned him the 2017 National League Rookie of the Year, won him a Silver Slugger, and made him the 2019 NL MVP – and hopefully, ‘the hits just keep coming!’

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