Bellinger sits, Dodgers still roll to 11-2 win over D-backs

PHOENIX (AP) — Reigning National League MVP Cody Bellinger had a leisurely night at the ballpark, lounging and cheering in the socially distanced stands with a few teammates after manager Dave Roberts decided the young star could use a game off because of an early-season slump.

Turns out the Dodgers' offense was just fine without him.

Chris Taylor hit a three-run homer, A.J. Pollock and Edwin Ríos added two-run shots and the Los Angeles Dodgers rolled to an 11-2 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday night.

“It just speaks to the depth we have,” Roberts said. “We've got a lot of good players.”

The bottom of the order showed big power in the fourth inning when Ríos — a rookie who was hitting seventh in the lineup — smashed a two-run homer over the 413-foot sign in center field. Two batters later, nine-hole hitter Matt Beaty ripped another homer that barely stayed fair down the right-field line and gave Los Angeles a 3-1 lead.

“I was just trying to hit the ball halfway as far as Eddie did a few at-bats before,” Beaty said with a grin.

D-backs starter Luke Weaver (0-2) took the loss after giving up six runs in four-plus innings. The hard-throwing righty cruised through the first three innings before giving up the two fourth-inning homers.

The Dodgers broke the game open with a five-run fifth when the first six batters reached base on Weaver and reliever Yoan López. Justin Turner hit a two-run triple and Pollock added a two-run homer as Los Angeles pushed its lead to 8-2. Taylor's three-run homer in the eighth made it 11-2.

Dodgers starter Julio Urías (1-0) gave up two runs over six innings while striking out five. The D-backs had five hits, including run-scoring singles from Eduardo Escobar and Carson Kelly. Urias said he settled into a...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Bellinger-sits-Dodgers-still-roll-to-11-2-win-15452082.php