Much like Dodgers infielder Max Muncy, there are (were) probably a good many Dodgers fans who have (had) all but given up on 27-year-old Dodgers outfielder Cody Bellinger, and understandably so. The 2017 National League Rookie of the Year, two-time All Star, 2019 NL MVP, 2020 NLCS MVP, 2020 World Series champion, and former Gold Glove and Silver Slugger winner entered play on Sunday slashing an un-Bellinger-like .205 / .264 / .382 / .646, with a team-high 110 strikeouts.

But he also entered play on Sunday with a team fourth-best 13 home runs and team sixth-best 44 RBIs.

Make that 15 home runs and 46 RBIs.

Yep, the Scottsdale, AZ native and Dodgers fourth-round draft pick in 2013 out of Hamilton High School in Chandler, AZ hit two solo home runs in Sunday’s 4-0 shutout of the (distant) NL West second-place San Diego Padres at Dodger Stadium to now give him 15 home runs and 46 RBIs on the season.

But perhaps of even greater significance, Bellinger did not strike out in his three at-bats on Sunday and, in fact, went 3-for-3 on the day, with a single between his two long balls.

‘It definitely feels good (sweeping the Padres),” Bellinger said after his two-home-run game – the 15th multi-home-run game of his (now) six-year MLB career – while completely deflecting attention to his teammates rather than himself. “With that, I think we’ve got nine more games against them and then potentially the playoffs. So, this was a great win, a great series. We can’t take anything for granted.”

“You just don’t have time for error if you’re an opposing pitcher,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after his team’s MLB-leading 75th win of the season. “It’s a lineup that, with (Muncy and Bellinger) performing, they can hurt you with one swing. … It’s just like we’re on their neck the whole game. When they make a mistake, we’re ready to capitalize.”

Welcome back Max!

…and Belli!

Play Ball!

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