Gonzalez hits 3 of Dodgers’ 7 homers for 18-9 win over Reds
CINCINNATI — Adrian Gonzalez got the most pleasure out of watching his teammates circle the bases. Nobody made as many trips as he did.
Gonzalez hit three of the Dodgers’ seven homers — driving in a career-high eight runs — and rookie Corey Seager had a noteworthy homer as well on Monday, leading Los Angeles to an 18-9 victory and a split of its fourgame series with the Cincinnati Reds.
The NL West leaders enjoyed their biggest home run splurge in 10 years. They’ve won 10 of their last 12 games against Cincinnati.
Four of Gonzalez’s teammates also homered in the Dodgers’ biggest power performance since they hit seven during an 11-10 win over San Diego on Sept. 18, 2006. “That was fun,” he said. Gonzalez started it with a three-run shot in the first inning off Homer Bailey (2-2), who had his worst showing since returning from Tommy John surgery. Gonzalez also had a solo shot in the fifth, when the Dodgers connected four times overall.
His three-run shot in the seventh tied his career high for homers. He drove in another run with a groundout as the Dodgers scored 18 runs for the first time in 10 years.
The first baseman attributed it to Great American Ball Park’s dimensions.
“It’s tiny and the ball flies,” Gonzalez said. “Right field is short. I hit two fly balls that went out. I could have been 1 for 6 with a homer.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts played left field for the Padres in that game 10 years ago when Los Angeles also hit seven.
“It feels much better from this side,” Roberts said. “Yeah, I saw ‘em. I remember.”
The Dodgers needed the big game offensively. Left-hander Scott Kazmir lasted a season-low 2 2/3 innings, giving up
six hits and four runs. Joey Votto singled home a run off reliever Jesse Chavez (1-0), one of his four RBIS.
Kazmir said he’s been bothered lately by a stiff right side of his neck. He doesn’t want to go on the disabled list. He’ll be examined in Los Angeles.
“I’m pretty stubborn,” Kazmir said. “I can feel
like this and get it done. But when you’re putting up numbers like that, it’s tough to swallow.”
There were homer notes galore:
— Seager’s two-run shot gave him 22 homers, trying Glenn Wright’s club record for a shortstop from 1930. He tied his career high with four hits and extended his hitting
streak to 13 games.
— The seven homers allowed by Reds pitchers tied the club record.
— Andrew Toles and Rob Segedin hit their first career homers back-toback in the fifth, becoming the first Dodger duo to accomplish that one.
— The last time the Dodgers hit four homers in an inning was Sept. 28, 2006, against San Diego.
Bailey gave up a season-high six runs and nine hits, leaving after 59 pitches. Chase Utley singled on Bailey’s first pitch of the game, and Seager singled on the second pitch. Gonzalez homered on the first pitch, leaving him 11 for 25 career against the righthander with six homers. The homer extended his hitting streak to a season-high 15 games.
“We’re seeing what we expected to see,” Reds manager Bryan Price said of Bailey, who has made five starts. “Some days, he’s electric and sharp. Some days, there’s fatigue and achiness and you’re not going to have your grade-a stuff.”