Dodgers Kick Off The Weekend With Big Win Over Pirates

The Los Angeles Dodgers capped off a record-breaking night with a 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday night. This improves the Dodgers to 17-11 on the season.

If we are highlighting players of the game, Cody Bellinger, Austin Barnes, and Hyun-Jin Ryu stole the show. Let’s take a look at what unfolded at Chavez Ravine on a beautiful Friday evening below.

The Offense

We gave mention earlier that a little history was made in this ballgame. Of course, that Bellinger kid had a hand in it. With the Dodgers trailing early 1-0, Bellinger stepped to the plate against Chris Archer. After one swing that produced a home run of a line drive variety, Los Angeles owned a lead and two baseball records.

The Dodgers have homered in 33 straight home games, and Bellinger has the most total bases before the month of May in the history of the sport.

Go ahead and flex then, @Cody_Bellinger. pic.twitter.com/d7VefsHfAB

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 27, 2019

Moreover, Bellinger added a single and walk on the night. However, he wasn’t the only Dodger carrying the load on Friday night. While it was nice to see Justin Turner get three hits, it was even better to see Austin Barnes break out of his miniature slump. Barnes homered a few batters after Bellinger in the second inning to increase the Dodgers lead to 3-1.

Another Dodger homer?

Right on ?. pic.twitter.com/3Aggmn2g4W

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 27, 2019

The Dodgers’ catcher was not done there. In the fourth inning after a Kiké Hernandez RBI single, Barnes doubled in two more to increase the lead to 6-2.

The Pitching

Everyone should know by now that Hyun-Jin Ryu is incredible at Dodger Stadium. Therefore, he took the ball on Friday evening and did his thing. That said, he was a little better than usual. The Korean Monster put together a masterpiece for the Dodgers in earning his third win.

That’s 10 Ks for @HyunJinRyu99 through seven innings! pic.twitter.com/uJhdAjvgTk

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 27, 2019

Ryu had his strikeout pitch working. On the evening, he struck out ten Pirates hitters which is the first time he’s reached double digits since July 13 of 2014.

This is Ryu's third career game with 10 strikeouts. The other two happened in 2013 and 2014.

— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) April 27, 2019

Ryu would exit the game with a 6-2 lead. Next, Scott Alexander entered to record two outs; the second of which was a sliding catch by Bellinger. Then, Dylan Floro entered to retire Jung Ho Kang on a first pitch ground out. Notably, Floro hasn’t allowed a run in 11 innings of work in 2019. Without question, he’s been one of the best relievers in baseball thus far.

Yimi Garcia was tasked with the ninth inning, and recorded three outs in order to end the ballgame.

Looking Ahead

Los Angeles is currently playing winning baseball, setting records, and may have the best player on the planet right now. These are not things to be taken for granted at any time or any season. There are 29 other teams that realize that is winning the business within this sport. It’s also fair to say they haven’t gotten ‘hot’ yet, which could be scary for opposing scouting departments.

This win will always be memorable because of the two records that took place. Still, it’s back-to-back victories for the boys in blue; and Saturday is Kershaw Day. Pittsburgh will counter with the likes of Joe Musgrove.