Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to the plate against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to the plate against the Milwaukee Brewers in the second inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
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Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws to the plate against the Milwaukee Brewers in the second inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson (31) hits a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson (31) flips his bat after hitting a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson (31) rounds third base after hitting a solo home run off Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin (45) in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson (31) high fives third base coach Chris Woodward (45) after hitting a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson points to the sky after hitting a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson celebrates with manager Dave Roberts after hitting a solo home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Milwaukee Brewers’ Ryan Braun after striking out looking against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich (22) smiles in the dugout after scoring on a passed ball against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Manny Machado argues with home plate Brian Knight (91) after striking out looking against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin throws to the plate against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the second inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts looks on against the Milwaukee Brewers in the second inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig looks on against the Milwaukee Brewers in the second inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig smiles at swinging and missing during a at bat against the Milwaukee Brewers in the second inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner throws out Milwaukee Brewers’ Lorenzo Cain (not pictured) in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Manny Machado against the Milwaukee Brewers in the second inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner against the Milwaukee Brewers during a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Brian Dozier hits a three run home runs against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Brian Dozier watches his three run home runs against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson (31) celebrates after teammate Brian Dozier (not pictured) hits a three run home runs against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Brian Dozier (6) celebrates with teammates Cody Bellinger (35) and Justin Turner (10) after hitting a three-run home run during the fifth inning of Thursday’s 21-5 victory over the the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Brian Dozier (6) high fives manager Dave Roberts after hitting a three run home runs against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fifth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger after hitting a grand slam against the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell walks to the mound to change pitchers against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell, left, takes the ball from Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin (45) against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin is pulled from the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the fifth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich (not pictured) singles past a diving Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Brian Dozier in the seventh inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich (not pictured) singles past a diving Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Brian Dozier in the seventh inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Milwaukee Brewers’ Jesus Aguilar high fives teammates after a hitting a three run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the seventh inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Manny Machado smiles during a Major League Baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. Los Angeles Dodgers won 21-5. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 21-5 during a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin throws during the first inning of the team’s baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich, right, is congratulated by Ryan Braun after scoring on a wild pitch during the first inning of the team’s baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson hits a solo home run off Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin, front, as catcher Erik Kratz and home plate umpire Brian Knight watch during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson, right, gestures as he scores after hitting a solo home run, next to Milwaukee Brewers catcher Erik Kratz during the first inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, right, is hit on the ear by the bat of Milwaukee Brewers’ Jonathan Schoop during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal, center, holds his ear after being hit by the bat of Milwaukee Brewers’ Jonathan Schoop, left, as home plate umpire Brian Knight looks on during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Brian Dozier hits a three-run home run in front of Milwaukee Brewers catcher Erik Kratz and home plate umpire Brian Knight during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Brian Dozier watches his three-run home run in front of Milwaukee Brewers catcher Erik Kratz during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Milwaukee Brewers’ Christian Yelich, right, scores on his solo home run as Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal watches during the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner throws out Milwaukee Brewers’ Erik Kratz at first during the second inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger hits a grand slam during the third inning against the Milwaukee Brewers in a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger watches his grand slam off Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin, foreground, during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger celebrates after hitting a grand slam during the third inning of the team’s baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger celebrates after hitting a grand slam during the third inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger, right, rounds third after hitting a grand slam as Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jhoulys Chacin stands near the mound during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger (35) is congratulated by Justin Turner, left, and Manny Machado after hitting a grand slam, as Milwaukee Brewers catcher Erik Kratz watches during the third inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson runs to first as he hits a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Justin Turner watches his two-run home run, next to Milwaukee Brewers catcher Erik Kratz during the sixth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig hits a two-run home run in front of Milwaukee Brewers catcher Erik Kratz and home plate umpire Brian Knight during the seventh inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig heads toward first on his two-run home run off Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Hernan Perez, front, normally an infielder, during the seventh inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Milwaukee Brewers’ Jesus Aguilar hits a three-run home run in front of Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal and home plate umpire Brian Knight during the seventh inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 2, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw stretches in left field prior to a Major League Baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Actor Kevin Hart, left, along with Kourtney Kardashian throws out the ceremonial pitch prior to a Major League Baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Actor Kevin Hart, right, along with Kourtney Kardashian throws out the ceremonial pitch prior to a Major League Baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Actor Kevin Hart, right, along with Kourtney Kardashian throws out the ceremonial pitch prior to a Major League Baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Actor Kevin Hart, right, along with Kourtney Kardashian throws out the ceremonial pitch prior to a Major League Baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Actor Kevin Hart, right, along with Kourtney Kardashian with Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Kemp after throwing out the ceremonial pitch prior to a Major League Baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen, left, has a little fun with Actor Kevin Hart along with Kourtney Kardashian as Los Angeles Dodgers’ Matt Kemp looks on after throwing out the ceremonial pitch prior to a Major League Baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Dodger Stadium on Thursday, Aug. 02, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
LOS ANGELES — Cody Bellinger lost a home run Tuesday when Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Lorenzo Cain made a leaping catch above the wall. Bellinger lost a double Wednesday when a line drive landed inches outside the right-field chalk.
Batting with the bases loaded in the third inning Thursday, you could see Bellinger gauge his unfolding fortunes like a cynic. As his fly ball drifted toward the right-field corner, Bellinger stepped cautiously toward first base, never letting go of his bat. When the ball clanged off the yellow foul pole, Bellinger at last turned toward his teammates in the third-base dugout. It was safe to celebrate.
The Dodgers did a lot of celebrating Thursday.
Bellinger’s grand slam was one of seven Dodger home runs in a 21-5 win. Joc Pederson and Yasiel Puig homered twice. Brian Dozier and Justin Turner homered once. The Dodgers set season highs for homers, runs, and runs in a single inning; their nine-run outburst in the seventh turned a lopsided baseball game into a score more common to football.
“It was fun,” Bellinger said. “You never expect to score that many runs, but when you do, you just try to take advantage of it when you’re at the plate. I think we did a pretty good job of that today.”
The 21 runs set a Dodger Stadium record and fell one shy of the franchise single-game record for any ballpark. According to Stats, LLC, Bellinger, Pederson and Puig became the first trio of outfielders with at least four RBIs in a game since 1964. All nine Dodgers starters recorded at least one hit, including pitcher Clayton Kershaw.
Puig had three of the Dodgers’ 18 hits. Bellinger, Dozier, Max Muncy and Kiké Hernandez collected two hits apiece.
Turner’s two-run homer in the sixth inning was his first since June 29. He had spent the previous 10 days on the disabled list resting a strained adductor muscle.
“I felt good in the box all night,” Turner said. “I felt like I saw the ball good. Timing was good.”
After Manny Machado singled with one out in the third inning, Turner was hit by a pitch by Brewers starter Jhoulys Chacin (10-4). The next batter, Yasmani Grandal, drew a walk to load the bases for Bellinger.
After taking a fastball for a strike, Bellinger crushed a slider over the plate for his 18th home run of the season. He said he lost sight of it until it clanged off the pole. The Dodgers led 6-1, eliminating the night’s last glimmer of suspense.
Bellinger had batted 102 times since his last home run on July 2. He hit .218 in that span.
“I give Belly a lot of credit,” Kershaw said. “He really hasn’t gotten down too much. He really hasn’t pouted, hasn’t hung his head as much as he probably could or would have. I think it’s a testament to his maturity, a testament to him as a guy. We need him, we love him, and he’s a big part of our offense.”
Bellinger, who finished 2 for 4 with five RBIs, conceded it wasn’t always easy to stay positive.
“You want to perform every single day, and when you know you’re not performing to your capability it’s frustrating, but I have to give credit also to my teammates and my coaching staff for giving me good advice, helping me keep going.”
Chacin, who allowed nine runs (eight earned) in 4-1/3 innings, saw his earned-run average balloon from 3.45 to 3.89. By the time the score was 15-5 in the seventh inning, Manager Craig Counsell turned to position player Hernan Perez to pitch. Perez was charged with five runs in one inning.
The eighth inning was catcher Erik Kratz’s turn to pitch. He was the only Milwaukee pitcher who did not allow a run.
It was a remarkable 48-hour turnaround for the Dodgers, who struggled to muster any offense in three consecutive losses. Brewers pitcher Chase Anderson carried a perfect game into the fifth inning on Wednesday, before a 10th-inning home run by Grandal walked the Brewers off the field.
The Dodgers’ offense continued to steamroll into Thursday. They never trailed after the top of the first inning.
Kershaw (5-5), who was making his 306th career start, had never benefited from more than 15 runs of support. In six innings the left-hander allowed two runs, including one when Christian Yelich scored on a wild pitch in the first inning. Kershaw struck out seven batters before turning the game over to the bullpen with a seven-run lead.
The win lifted the Dodgers (61-49) into first place in the National League West, one game ahead of the Arizona Diamondbacks (60-50) and two ahead of the Colorado Rockies (58-50).
By splitting the four-game series with Milwaukee, the Dodgers took four of seven games in the season series.
Thursday was the first time that Turner batted in the same lineup with Machado and Dozier, who were acquired in July trades. Muncy and Chris Taylor did not start, and outfielder Matt Kemp got the night off altogether. Austin Barnes rounded out the bench as Chase Utley began his stay on the 10-day disabled list.
It might not have been the most accurate preview of the new-look Dodger lineup, but it was encouraging nonetheless.
“I have to come to the resolution that we have a deep bench,” Manager Dave Roberts said, “and they’re not starting but that doesn’t mean they’re not going to come in and contribute at some point in time during that game. That’s the message to anyone that’s sitting that particular day. They all want to be in there and they all have in their own right a case to be in our lineup that night, but there’s only eight positions that can play.”
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