Dodgers Way Quick Hits: Dozier, Kershaw, Offense, Bellinger

The Dodgers put together a record-breaking performance against the Brewers in the series finale on Thursday night. The team put up a grand total of 21 runs, a stadium record, en route to a series split against a team that the Dodgers could very well see in the playoffs. Here is the rest of the news.

The recently acquired Brian Dozier has taken Dodger Stadium by storm, going five for his first nine at-bats with two home runs and five runs batted in. The 30-year old Dozier has come to Los Angeles and gotten the job done, living up to expectations. Over the last five years, no second baseman has hit more home runs than Dozier and he has quickly proven his prowess at the plate. Interestingly, Dozier, in his first nine plate appearances has tied former Dodger second baseman, Logan Forsythe’s season home run total. The Dodgers put together a great trade and it has paid dividends already.

More notes…

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• Clayton Kershaw was the pitcher in the Dodgers routing of the Brewers and the offensive showing may have muddled the facts from the ace’s outing. Kershaw pitched six total innings, striking out seven batters, walking two, and surrendering five hits and two runs. The final line for Kershaw is not bad, it is a quality start and to the naked eye, he got the win and the job done. But, if you watched the game, there was not a single inning that looked “easy” for Kershaw, who holds himself to high standards. Was the start bad? Not even close. But, it was not the 30-year old’s best work.

• The Dodger offense has done the complete about-face in the last few days, going from invisible to unstoppable in a matter of 24 hours. Before Wednesday’s game, the Dodgers had scored three runs in their last 27 innings. Since then, they have scored 27 runs in 18 innings with 10 home runs. The effort over the last few days has vaulted the team to second overall in all of baseball with 154 home runs (behind the Yankees with 174). The Dodgers also lead the NL in homers by almost 20.

• Cody Bellinger has had an interesting year. The power has been there but the contact hitting has not. Over the last 15 games, Bellinger has hit just .216 with 11 hits in 51 at-bats. But, on Thursday, his luck changed. Cody smacked a grand slam, another RBI, and another base hit. If he can continue on this pace, Dodger fans can begin to expect the Bellinger from last year.