Dodgers' Bellinger 2 HRs, connects in marathon AB vs Phils

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cody Bellinger chopped ‘em foul, popped ’em foul and ripped 'em foul. One by one by one the foul balls sprayed — nine in all — until the Dodgers slugger found the sinker he wanted and knocked it in the seats.

Bellinger hit a two-run homer on the 13th pitch of an at-bat, connected later for another two-run shot and Los Angeles beat the Philadelphia Phillies 8-2 Wednesday on a second straight rainy night.

“I'm starting to feel strong and healthy,” Bellinger said. “I'm just grinding every day to make myself feel good and get ready for the game.”

The 2019 NL MVP might finally be out of his season-long slumber. Bellinger is riding an eight-game hitting streak, batting .333 (10 for 30) with two doubles, four homers, seven RBIs and a 1.175 OPS in that span.

The Phillies, who had an eight-game winning streak snapped Tuesday, fell into a tie for first place in the NL East with Atlanta's win over Cincinnati. There are 48 games left this season.

They could have more pressing concerns: All-Star catcher J.T. Realmuto left in the first inning after he took two foul tips to his mask. Realmuto was checked on by team trainers but stayed in the game to catch the rest of the inning. Andrew Knapp pinch-hit for Realmuto, batting .268 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs, in the first and caught the rest of the game.

Realmuto is day-to-day and went through MLB's concussion protocols.

A night after a rain delay wasted a suburb outing from Aaron Nola, Phillies manager Joe Girardi tried to strategize against the weather and made a last-minute switch on the mound. He started reliever Connor Brogdon for an inning and brought in Hector Neris to pitch the second.

After a 53-minute rain delay, sure enough, scheduled starter Kyle Gibson took the bump.

“He rolled with it," Girardi...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Dodgers-Bellinger-2-HRs-connects-in-marathon-AB-16381386.php