Bellinger fastest to 21 homers in MLB history
Dodgers rookie Cody Bellinger became the fastest player to 21 home runs in baseball history, connecting in his first two at-bats against New York Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler in Los Angeles’ 10-6 win on Monday night.
Bellinger, who was not called up until three weeks into the season, now has 21 home runs in his first 51 games.
That surpasses by one the totals of Gary Sanchez (New York Yankees, 2016) and Wally Berger (Boston Braves, 1930). Both had 20 home runs through 51 games. It took Berger 55 games and Sanchez 59 games to reach the 21-homer mark.
Bellinger, 21, now leads the National League in home runs. His first game was April 25. He has five multihomer games, tying Mike Piazza for the Dodgers’ rookie record.
The homers helped Clayton Kershaw become the first 10-game winner in the National League despite giving up a career-high four home runs.
Red Sox: Second baseman Dustin Pedroia was out of the starting lineup for Monday’s series opener against the Royals after getting hit by a pitch in Houston that caused him to spit up blood.
Pedroia was hit in the left ribcage by a 92 mph fastball from James Hoyt in the seventh inning Sunday. He had an MRI exam Monday that confirmed Pedroia did not fracture any ribs. Manager John Farrell said Pedroia is day to day, but it’s unlikely he will play before the series finale Wednesday.
Orioles: Shortstop J.J. Hardy was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a broken bone in his right wrist, an injury that will keep him sidelined four to six weeks. Surgery will not be required, but Hardy can’t participate in baseball activities until the wrist has fully healed.
Hardy was injured Sunday when hit by a pitch from St. Louis’ Lance Lynn.
International signings: A record $203 million was spent on international amateur free agents in the just-ended signing period, nearly $50 million more than the previous high and a figure that will plummet when a hard cap on spending starts July 2. Baseball’s new labor contract imposes a cap on bonuses for international amateurs, with 16 teams limited in 2017-18 to $4.75 million, six to $5.25 million and eight to $5.75 million — all not counting bonuses of up to $10,000. That limits the 2017-18 bonus pool to $153.5 million.
San Diego spent $40.8 million on international amateurs in the period that ended June 15, incurring a $37.4 million tax. Other high rollers included the White Sox ($29 million in bonuses, $25.2 million in tax), Cincinnati ($17.7 million/$12.4 million), Atlanta ($17.3 million/$12.8 million), Houston ($10.8 million/$8.6 million), St. Louis ($11 million/$9 million), Oakland ($10 million/$6.2 million), and Washington ($8.3 million/$6 million).