July 2 has been a busy date in Dodgers history, and a few of the biggest moments on the calendar belong to names that still jump off the page: Johnny Podres, Hideo Nomo, Eric Gagné, Cody Bellinger and the 2020 World Series champions.
Start with Podres, who put together one of the most eye-catching strikeout stretches the franchise has seen. On July 2, 1962, he matched an old MLB record by fanning eight straight Phillies in a 5-1 Dodgers win.
The run began when he got Ted Savage swinging for the third out in the fourth inning, then continued until Mel Roach opened the seventh with another strikeout. A ground ball finally ended the streak.
Podres finished the day with 11 strikeouts over 7.2 innings.
That record-tying spree still sits in rare company. The MLB mark for consecutive strikeouts in a single game is 10, shared by Tom Seaver in 1970, Aaron Nola in 2021 and Corbin Burnes in 2011.
Nearly three decades later, Nomo carved out another milestone for the Dodgers and for baseball as a whole. On July 2, 1995, he became the first player from Japan to be selected to an MLB All-Star Game.
He started for the National League at The Ballpark in Arlington, worked two scoreless innings, allowed one hit and struck out three. Nomo would go on to win NL Rookie of the Year, but he never earned another All-Star selection.
The Dodgers also got a slice of history from Gagné on July 2, 2002. He became the fastest pitcher in MLB history to reach 30 saves, locking down a 4-0 win over the Diamondbacks in the Dodgers’ 82nd game of the season. Gagné later matched that MLB record in 2003.
More recently, the Dodgers won one in the strangest way possible. On July 2, 2019, they trailed Arizona by a run entering the ninth, then pieced together a rally built entirely on patience.
Five straight walks brought home the walk-off winner, with Bellinger drawing the bases-loaded free pass to end it. It was the Dodgers’ second walk-off win to come via walk since 2017, when Bellinger drew the fourth free pass against the Royals.
And on July 2, 2021, the Dodgers took their 2020 World Series celebration to the White House. Players met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, and both received a custom jersey. Joe Kelly also made sure that visit had its own unforgettable image, wearing a mariachi jacket after forgetting formal attire.
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