Los Angeles Dodgers Power Returns in Tampa Bay

The 2016 Major League Baseball season is just a month old. However, already the National League West favorite Los Angeles Dodgers were mired in an offensive slump until Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Dodgers are currently in second place in the NL West at 14-13 a half game back of the 15-13 San Francisco Giants. Over their past 10 games played the Dodgers are 4-6, while the Giants have won 7 of their past 10.

If Tuesday was any sign, then the Dodgers could be breaking out of their slump. Trayce Thompson the brother of Golden State Warriors’ shooting guard Klay Thompson hit a home run that reached the catwalk close to 100 feet above the Tropicana Park playing field in Tampa.

Yasiel Puig also hit a pitch for a home run in the game and celebrated by flinging aside his bat. He marveled at the massive home run that Thompson hit saying he had never seen anything like it before.

The Dodgers were in need of a night like Tuesday with the power display that helped them win last year’s NL West crown returned after an 8-game absence.

Puig, Thompson and Joc Pederson each had a home run, with none measuring less than 415 feet, as Los Angeles pounded Tampa Bay 10-5.

For only the first time in 27 games this season, Los Angeles hit three round trippers. After scoring just 10 runs over the last six games of their just completed home stand, the Dodgers plated 10 in their first game of their current road trip.

Thompson’s four RBIs were a career best. Adrian Gonzalez snapped his 0 for 21 career worst streak with a pair of hits. Puig’s two hits were the first time he has had two in any game since mid April.

Howie Kendrick had 4 hits, but is still hitting just .197. However, he had his first RBI and first extra base hit of the season.

Kendrick has averaged .293 over his 10-year career and knows his hitting will come back but has been shocked at how slow his season has started.

Scott Kazmir pitched 6 2/3 innings for the win allowing 4 runs but fanned 9 Rays.

The story on the night was the Dodgers offense with the power reappearing after disappearing in Chavez Ravine during their home stand.

Last season the Dodgers were the NL leaders in home runs even with the Colorado Rockies playing 81 games at Coors Field, the Dodgers still hit more round trippers on the season.

Entering Tuesday’s game, Los Angeles was next to last in the NL in home runs, with just the Atlanta Braves hitting fewer.