Dodgers: Top 5 Offensive Performances of the First Half

Corey Seager’s Three-Homer Game

June 21st, 2017

The Dodgers took down the Mets,12-0 behind the offense that was led by a career night from Corey Seager, which included his second career three home run game.

His first home run was of the two-run variety and came before an out was recorded and traveled 410 feet. The Mets had rookie Robert Gsellman on the mound and he dealt up a meatball that Seager easily drove to dead center.

Corey wasted no time on his second home run as he found himself facing Gsellman again in the 4^th inning. On a 3-2 count, Gsellman served up a 93 MPH fastball right down Broadway that Corey drove to the opposite field for a solo shot and his second of the game. He was far from done, however.

Corey came up again in the 5^th inning and Gsellman was surprisingly still in the game. With two men on and two men out Corey drove another fastball to the opposite field, which brought his total to three home runs and six runs batted in. This homer put the Dodgers up 10-0.

Corey got another at-bat to aim for four home runs and the “home run cycle”, but “all” he did was hit a double. Sheesh DFA him. The young Dodger star reminded the world that Cody Bellinger wasn’t the only young phenom in LA.

Austin Barnes 7 RBI game

June 30th, 2017

In what is overshadowed by Dave Roberts wanting to kill Andy Greene, Austin Barnes had a career day.

Austin Barnes started his day off with a bang as he found himself in a bases-loaded situation in the top of the first. Barnes drove a fastball to left field for a two-out grand slam and gave the Dodgers an early 4-0 edge.

The grand slam was the first of Barnes career and came in the middle of a hot streak for the young versatile catcher. Barnes was interviewed by SoCal sports and was ecstatic about his first career slam:

“I thought I got it pretty good. I didn’t know what was going on as I ran the bases, but I’ll definitely remember the grand slam the most.”

Barnes came up again in the top of the 6^th inning with two men on base and squared up another ball to dead center field for his second homer of the game and brought his RBI total to seven.

Barnes had a career day by feasting on San Diego’s pitching. Barnes, who didn’t have a roster spot to begin the season, has found his niche with the big league club and has more than earned his spot on the team.

Joe Davis’ Memorable Call

April 29th, 2017

I know it is tough to put Joe Davis on a list with so many memorable offensive performances to choose from, but his call on this particular night was so perfect and gained him so much respect from Dodger fans.

The Dodgers found themselves trailing the Phillies going into the 9^th inning 5-2 and looked to be done. Then Puig connected for a home run and brought a glimmer of hope for Dodgers fans.

Next up to bat was Cody Bellinger, who at the time was still wet behind the ears. He took the first pitch he saw down the left field line and banged it off of the foul pole to pull the Dodgers within one run. (More on this later)

Justin Turner was then called upon to pinch hit and what happened next was magical. After taking the count to 0-1, Turner drove a pitch over the wall which Joe Davis played perfectly.

“Swing and a drive! Absolute madness!”.

Then he let the crowd take over as he sat in absolute silence. He played it perfectly.

The call sent chills down my spine at the time and it still does to this day. This call showed LA that even though Vin is gone, we have a legend in the making in Joe Davis.

I still go back to this call every now and then as I am a junkie for broadcasting calls. Joe Davis may not be one of the guys in the dugout every night, but he is an important part of this team, and the Dodgers got a glimpse of his abilities on April 29^th.

Justin Turner returns from the DL in a big way

June 9th, 2017

After the Dodgers signed Justin Turner to a new contract this offseason, they expected big things out him. These dreams were damaged a bit when he found himself on the disabled list with a strained hamstring.

Turner was on the shelf for a month and was desperately missed in a Dodgers lineup that was hot and cold during the months of May and June. At the time of his injury, Turner led the majors in batting average and was the hottest hitter in the Dodger lineup. It goes without saying that the team missed Turner dearly.

On June 9^th, Justin Turner was finally able to get back on the field, and the Dodgers were ready to have their All-Star third baseman back in the lineup.

Turner was batting 3^rd in the lineup for the team and came back in a big way. He smacked a two-run home run on the first pitch he saw and sent the message he was back.

Since Turner has been back, he has been on fire and has proved himself as an All-Star caliber player. He took the Dodgers on a 10-game winning streak and a 15 out of 16 streak that catapulted the team into first place.

With Turner in the lineup, this team may be the best team in baseball and the first step to getting there was Turner’s return.

Cody Bellinger Puts LA on Notice

April 29th, 2017

Cody Bellinger’s much-awaited call up came to an end after he was brought up to the big leagues on April 25^th. Four days later, he had his coming out party.

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I already touched on this game in the Joe Davis section of this article, therefore you know the thrilling ending. But, you may not remember what happened before this.

Cody Bellinger came into this game with high expectations, but after a lackluster Giants series, he came into this series batting .231. The perception of Cody would change after this day.

As the Dodgers inched closer and closer to their come from behind victory they needed to start chipping away at the deficit. Enter Cody Bellinger in the 7^th inning. Bellinger got a nice little changeup on the inner part of the plate, which he proceeded to hammer into the right-field bullpen for his first career home run.

After his first career dinger, he followed it up with his home run in the bottom of the ninth as part of the amazing Dodgers comeback. The home runs were incredible, but the performance stands out as it gave us a taste of what was to come out of this kid.

Since then, he has had more than his fair share of multi-homer games. This game started off a chain of reactions in his second week in the big leagues that were very Yasiel Puig-esque. Cody put the nation on alert and locked himself into this roster.

Cody made sure that this game was etched in our memories for a long time and it sure looks like we will have much more to cherish.

Next: Rich Hill is Back

The Dodgers have had countless performances in the first half of the season that can be easily remembered, but these may be the five best. Right now the Dodgers have the best record in the NL and are only .5 game back of the best in the bigs. Needless to say, this team is something special.