MILWAUKEE -- Cody Bellinger held the National League home run lead for a couple of innings on Thursday night, until Christian Yelich tied up the leaderboard again, as the two sluggers got off to a good start in what could be their own Home Run Derby through the weekend series.
“I enjoy it, for sure,” said Bellinger, who was the first National Leaguer to 10 home runs, when he lined one over Yelich in the sixth inning on a 3-2 pitch in the Dodgers’ 3-1 win over the Brewers. Yelich hit his in the ninth inning off Kenley Jansen.
“He’s also a good dude off the field, so he’s an easy guy to root for, as well. Some friendly competition, for sure. We were talking before the game. It’s going to be fun competing against him all year.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts agrees.
“I do like the matchup, and I think it’s a draw tonight,” Roberts said. “He’s staying square with the upper body more. They tried to crowd him and because he’s squared it shortens the swing. It’s kind of counterintuitive, but when you’re not trying to pull the baseball, it’s easier to pull the ball.”
Bellinger is just the third Dodger to hit 10 home runs through the team’s first 21 games, joining Matt Kemp (11 in 2012) and Roy Campanella (10 in 1953). It was his third homer in four games against Milwaukee this year and he now has 24 RBIs, trailing only Yelich’s 27 for the league lead.
Bellinger lined a 3-2 pitch from Matt Albers for his long ball, estimated at 416 feet with a 110.6 mph exit velocity. The home run broke a scoreless tie and came only two batters after Albers replaced Milwaukee starter Zach Davies.
Bellinger also sent left fielder Ryan Braun to the warning track to haul in his eighth-inning drive.
“I honestly thought I got that one,” said Bellinger.
Max Muncy added a two-run homer in the sixth inning.