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The Dodgers’ unexpected offensive machine

The Dodgers' Adrian Gonzalez gets a high five from Alex Guerrero on his way back to the dugout after Gonzalez scored in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on May 17.

The DodgersAdrian Gonzalez gets a high five from Alex Guerrero on his way back to the dugout after Gonzalez scored in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Dodger Stadium on May 17.

(Victor Decolongon / Getty Images)
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How’d that happen? It’s like the Dodgers suddenly forgot who they are. A team that pulverizes baseballs, that terrorizes pitchers and snarls at the waste left behind.

The Dodgers won 1-0 Sunday? What, did they play that old-timers game Saturday and suddenly they think it’s 1965 and they have to win games like Sandy Koufax is on the mound?

In case you haven’t noticed, the Dodgers have broken out to a 24-13 start and a 4½-game division lead because they’ve been an offensive juggernaut, not because of their phenomenal rotation.

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The Dodgers lead the majors in doubles, walks, run differential, slugging and on-base percentage. They lead the National League in home runs, runs and RBIs.

They work counts and pitchers. They do everything but pound their chests, wail into the night, grab a club and try to send baseballs one-handed into the outfield light stands.

And they won Sunday 1-0?

They didn’t even hit a home run, which happens almost like never. In their previous 20 games at Dodger Stadium -- a renowned pitcher’s ballpark -- they’d hit 31 home runs.

Their current .478 slugging percentage would shatter the Los Angeles Dodgers club record (.432) and top the overall franchise mark (.474).

These were supposed to be a Dodgers team led by Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, by a rotation that humbled knees and opponents. Maybe it will yet, but through 37 games, they are happy enough just to pound people.

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