Dodgers Break MLB Homerun Record Over 5 Game Span
Of course it was Will Smith. With the Fresh Prince’s 8th inning, 2-run shot, the Dodgers broke a Major League record for home runs in a 5 game span with 22. Moreover, Los Angeles extended their record of consecutive games with 4+ home runs to 5. Incredible.
Making history.
With @will_smith30's homer, the Dodgers’ 22 home runs set an MLB record for home runs in a five-game span. pic.twitter.com/wLaVbh6zNe
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 17, 2019
Cody Bellinger led off the homer barrage with his 41st BelliBomb of the season in the 2nd inning. Max Muncy and Justin Turner filled up the middle part of the attack with back-to-back shots in the 7th inning to tie the record, setting up Smith for the historic shot.
They came into the game sitting on 18 dingers over their last 4 games, becoming the first team to hit 4+ homers in four straight games in MLB history along the way.
Not to be lost in the shuffle, Max Muncy’s 3-run homer made him the first Dodger to have back-to-back 30 home run seasons since Shawn Green in 2001-2002.
More Max History
We can add another little nugget to the equation for Muncy as he’s now 2nd all-time for most home runs in a player’s first 2 seasons with the Dodgers.
This is pretty cool from today's game notes —
Most Home Runs in First 2 Seasons with Dodgers – All-Time
Shawn Green (2000-2001) 73
Max Muncy (2018-2019) 64 — [Updated to 65 now]Cody Bellinger (2017-2018) 64You love to see it.
— Clint Pasillas (@realFRG) August 17, 2019
More Homer Notes
Will Smith hit his 10th homer in just 25 games, giving the club 8 players with at least 10 home runs in 2019.
Los Angeles has also now hit 4+ home runs in 17 games this season, which is a new franchise record. They sit at 215 team home runs in 2019, good for 1st in the NL, and 3rd in baseball behind the Yankees and Twins.
The Dodgers have homered in 96 games this season and are 70-26 when hitting at least one, while posting an 12-16 mark without one.
Keep Will Smith in the line-up, no more Martin or Barnes, you know automatic-outs.
Martin is the perfect backup for Smith plus he’s better than most of the gas cans out of the bullpen.
Smith needs to rest for the playoffs. Don’t over use. Long season up and down from the minors. Let Martin get plenty of playing time. Remember, he’s young and not used to so many games!
Will Smith will get off days. But dodgers must know that ‘slugging’ won’t be as easy to do in the PS and or WS and they must figure out the other means for scoring with RISP..