Welcome to the Dodgers, Mike Freeman!

Nearly a month after being picked up by the Dodgers on the waiver wire from Seattle, versatile infielder/outfielder Mike Freeman was recalled to Los Angeles to fill a void created when outfielder Franklin Gutierrez was placed on the 10-day disabled list with an episode of ankylosis spondylitis. Mike Freeman will wear #37 for the Dodgers.

As you know, he came into yesterdays game as a pinch-hitter for reliever Luis Avilan in the fourth inning, and subsequently grounded out to short during the eight pitch at-bat.

2017 Topps Now -- #291 -- Bellinger's 24 Homers Most Since 1933

Cody Bellinger is not human. He's some sort of bat-wielding cyborg with a swing a smooth as silk and strength that you only hear about when speaking of the gods. Cody is like a mythical beast we all wish for, but never expect to see. He's become a game-changer, and if not for his sudden emergence we would likely not be anywhere near the top of the standings like we are today.

As you know, Cody Bellinger walloped two more home runs yesterday afternoon to reach a league high 24, and for his efforts he was awarded his 11th 2017 Topps Now card of the season. The card celebrates the most home runs in the 1st half of the season by an rookie since 1933. Go here to check it out and order. BTW, Cody was also named the National League Player of the Week this morning. Per a Dodger press release:

2017 Topps Series 2 - The Dodgers Insert Cards Part 3

Here is a last look at some of the Dodgers cards found in packs of 2017 Topps Series 2. Below are the All-Star Game MVP, All-Time All-Stars, Independence Day and Major League Milestones insert cards. Go here to check out all of my past post on this set. Please note that several Dodger autograph cards have yet to be unearthed, so I will update this post once I run across them.

All-Star Game MVP

#ASM-13 Mike Piazza

Blog Kiosk: 6/26/2017 - Dodgers Links - Some Odds and Ends

That game was unreal. Not only did the Dodgers capture their 10th win in a row, but they did it in the most unusual way. Trailing by five runs in the third inning they stormed back to win, 12-6, with the help of the home run ball (including two by Bellinger) and four wild pitches by the Rockies most consistent middle reliever. In fact, those wild throws resulted in five runs. Per Thomas Harding and Joshua Thornton at MLB.com:

"Their guys were on the ropes," Roberts said. "We didn't even give them any extra outs on the bases. We kept grinding and made those guys continue to make pitches. You look at what we did from the first game of the series, what we're doing to pitching staffs, there's a relentless kind of approach to what we're doing."

And to add insult to injury Kenley Jansen hit a double to drive in the first RBI of his career before recording his 17th save of the season. Per Matthew Mesa at Dodger Insider:

“It was a crazy game,” Kenley Jansen said. “I’ve never seen this before.”

Photo above via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2017. Go here to check out more pics by Jon from yesterdays game. Below are more links to check out:

• This Day in Dodgers History: In 1944 the Dodgers, Giants and Yankees play an exhibit charity game in front of 50,000 fans for the war bond movement dubbed the Tri-Cornered Baseball Game.  The Dodgers won the contest: Dodgers 5, Yankees 1, Giants 0.  Check out what I wrote about it here. In 1999 Dodgers catcher Todd Hundley hit a three-run game-winning home run off of Giants closer Robb Nen in the ninth inning to spark a come-from-behind victory at Candelstick Park, 7-6. 
• Happy Birthday, Jean-Pierre Roy, Henry Schmidt, Rodney Myers & Babe Herman!