Outfielder Matt Kemp recorded a career-best five hits and knocked in four runs, including a three-run home, to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 17-1 rout of Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday at Dodgers Stadium.
The veteran outfielder was being showered with "M-V-P!" chants as he played one of the best performances of his career.
"Felt good. Take that into tomorrow and we'll try again," Kemp said.
Dodgers Tallied 21 Hits In Win
He praised his teammates' contribution in their impressive win over the Pirates. Overall, the Dodgers tallied 21 hits against Pittsburgh.
"As a team, we all did a good job tonight scoring runs," Kemp said.
Cody Bellinger, Joc Pederson, and Max Muncy all homered off rookie hurler Nick Kingham (2-4). Yasiel Puig tallied four RBIs while Bellinger and Chris Taylor each knocked in two runs as the Dodgers improved to 45-39, 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL West.
"A lot of good things happening," Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner said of their win. "Putting balls in play all over the place. A lot of hits with guys in scoring position."
Starting pitcher Alex Wood did his part on the mound, giving up just one run on six hits with three strikeouts in six innings of action. The win improved Wood's record to 5-5 on the season.
Kingham took the loss after giving up seven runs (five earned) on eight hits with three walks and two strikeouts as the Pirates slipped to 40-44. It was a disappointing stint for Kingham, who was recalled from Triple-A to start in place of Chad Kuhl, who was put on the disabled list Friday.
Catcher Elias Diaz produced the Pirates' only run in the game with a solo shot in the 2nd inning.
Bellinger Sparked Dodgers' Offense
Bellinger put the Dodgers on the board with an RBI single in the opening frame then made it a 2-0 lead when he scored home off an error by Kingham.
Diaz cut the lead to one with a solo shot in the second, but Bellinger responded with a solo shot in the 3rd for a 3-1 advantage. Kemp then made it a 4-1 game when he scored off Puig's grounder.
The Dodgers poured their might in the 4th as they scored six runs to take a commanding 10-1 advantage. In that inning, Pederson and Muncy hit back-to-back long balls against Kingham.
Kemp and Chris Taylor hit back-to-back RBI singles and Puig added an RBI double. Taylor capped the Dodgers' attack in the 4th frame when he scored on an error by center fielder Austin Meadows.
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