WATCH: Chicago Cubs' Cody Bellinger Gets Pitch Clock Violation While Getting Ovation From Dodgers Fans
A rather unnecessary scene unfolded on Friday night at Dodger Stadium as Cody Bellinger was given a pitch-clock violation and an automatic strike after receiving an ovation from the Dodgers fans.
Bellinger spent six years with the Dodgers, helping them win the 2020 World Series and winning the 2019 National League MVP award. He was making his first return to Dodger Stadium as a member of the opposition, having signed with the Chicago Cubs this offseason.
You can see the scene HERE:
This feels unnecessary, even though technically Bellinger wasn't facing the pitcher at the 8-second mark of the clock.
This runs counter to what we saw in Pittsburgh for the Pirates home-opener, when Andrew McCutchen was allowed to soak in a tribute from his home fans.
Bellinger burst onto the scene with Los Angeles in 2017, hitting 39 home runs in 132 games. In addition to his MVP award in 2019, he also won National League Rookie of the Year that year. He hit 25 homers in 2018 and 47 in 2019. He also drove in 115 that year.
Injuries have taken their toll on Bellinger, as he played just 95 games in 2021, when he hit .165. He only hit .210 in 2022 despite being healthy.
Right now for the Cubs, he's hitting .250 with two home runs and nine RBI. He's also stolen a base.
As of this posting, the Cubs lead the Dodgers 3-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning. Bellinger is 1-3 with a run scored.
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