SD beats LA; Bellinger sets Dodgers record

SAN DIEGO -- Cody Bellinger set the Dodgers franchise record for rookie home runs with his 36th, blasted off Padres closer Brad Hand in the ninth inning of a 6-4 loss on Sunday.
The previous record of 35 was set by Mike Piazza in 1993 and tied by Bellinger on Saturday. Mark McGwire holds the MLB record of 49 set in 1987.
"Feels great," Bellinger said. "Like I said yesterday, it was in the back of my mind to be in the same sentence as Piazza, and now to pass him, it feels pretty special."
Bellinger, though, said it would be a lot more special if these milestones came after wins instead of the three losses of the past two days.
"It feels a lot better, for sure," he said. "I'm not worried and nobody in this clubhouse is worried about what happened this past week. We're going to go out tomorrow and play a game."
Bellinger and Yankees slugger Aaron Judge (38) are the only pair of rookies to have at least 35 home runs in the same season.

Piazza went on to become the National League Rookie of the Year in '93. Bellinger is likely to repeat that award win, despite just returning from the 10-day disabled list for a sprained right ankle and opening the season in the Minor Leagues.
Bellinger's home run was projected to travel 412 feet by Statcast™.