Cy Young and MVP candidates lift the Dodgers to 100th win of the season
by Cary Osborne
Hyun-Jin Ryu stepped through the Dodger dugout protecting himself. His jubilant teammates beat on his helmet like it was a percussion instrument. Ryu had just rounded the bases after clubbing his first career homer — which tied the score with the Rockies in the fifth inning.
The party was just starting.
Four batters later, Cody Bellinger launched a Jake McGee pitch into the Right Pavilion for a grand slam, giving the Dodgers the lead and giving a Dodger fan a souvenir on Fan Appreciation Day.
The Dodgers’ National League Cy Young Award candidate and their NL Most Valuable Player candidate propelled the team into the final week of the regular season with big performances in a 7–4 win on Sunday at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers reached the 100-win mark for the eighth time in franchise history.
On the mound, Ryu allowed one run through 6 2/3 innings before allowing a two-run home to Colorado’s Sam Hilliard in the seventh inning. Ryu went seven innings, allowed six hits and no walks, struck out three and gave up three earned runs. He allowed a solo homer to Garrett Hampson in the first inning.
Ryu leads the Major Leagues with a 2.41 ERA. Sunday’s game was the 11th time this season he has gone at least six innings and walked none. He has allowed three runs or fewer in each of the games and Sunday was the first time he allowed three runs.
This was the 14th time he has pitched at least seven innings and allowed three earned runs or fewer. Coming into Sunday, only New York’s Jacob deGrom had more (16) games of that category among National Leaguers.
But it was the power that had everyone celebrating on Sunday.
“I guess there were chants from the dugout: ‘Babe Ryu,’” said manager Dave Roberts.
Ryu’s homer came on an 0–2 fastball against Colorado starter Antonio Senzatela with the Rockies leading 1–0.
Ryu said he tried to keep a poker face on his trip around the bases and into the dugout. His teammates did the opposite.
“We were definitely more excited than him,” Bellinger said. “That was his first career home run, so we’re obviously really excited for him, which is crazy (that he hasn’t hit one before) because he has stupid power at batting practice.”
Senzatela allowed the next three Dodgers to reach base safely. Colorado went to left-handed reliever McGee, who Bellinger homered off of twice in 13 plate appearances leading into Sunday. Bellinger shot an 0–1 pitch into the seats for his second grand slam this season and fifth career grand slam.
Bellinger has 46 home runs — three short of Shawn Green’s franchise record set in 2001. Bellinger has amassed 114 RBI. The 114 RBI are tied with Green (2002) for ninth-most in Los Angeles Dodgers history. Bellinger has 341 total bases — sixth-most in LA history.
Ryu gave his endorsement on Bellinger for MVP.
“Throughout the whole season, I’ve been a big advocate of that specific player, and my mind has not changed throughout this year, especially after today’s outing,” Ryu said.
The Dodgers finished with a 59–22 (.728) record at home — the best mark in Dodger Stadium history. It’s the Dodgers’ second-best winning percentage at home in franchise history behind the 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers (60–17, .779).
Seager and Pollock Remain Hot
Corey Seager hit a solo home run in the seventh inning to give the Dodgers a 6–3 lead at the time. He went 2-for-4 in the game. He has gone 2-for-4 in six straight games. In that span, he is hitting .500/.520/.916/1.437.
A.J. Pollock went 2-for-4 and is riding a nine-game hitting streak.
More Homers
The Dodgers hit four homers on the afternoon. Will Smtih hit a solo shot in the eighth inning — his 14th homer of the season. The Dodgers extended their National League-record to 268 homers.
