Adrian Gonzalez has been on a tear to start the season. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
MILWAUKEE — Off to a hot start in 2015 and sitting atop the National League West with a record of 16-9, the Los Angeles Dodgers have been buoyed by a few heroic efforts to begin the season.
First baseman Adrian Gonzalez was named April’s NL Player of the Month on Monday, while utility man Alex Guerrero was named the NL Rookie of the Month.
“That’s nice for (Guerrero),” said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. “He swung the bat really well for us.”
Guerrero is not an everyday position player for the Dodgers, but hit .423 in April through 26 at-bats, with five home runs and 13 RBIs, and went 3-for-7 with a double and two home runs in pinch-hit appearances. Gonzalez hit .383 with eight home runs and 19 RBIs in 81 at-bats.
With nine players currently on the disabled list for the Dodgers, the team has leaned heavily on the remaining healthy players to carry the load, with Gonzalez and Guerrero leading the charge for the Dodgers offense.
Guerrero’s start has been particularly surprising thus far, but the Dodgers manager is wary of an upcoming adjustment period for the 28-year-old Cuban.
“Once you prove that you can hit (at the major league level) the cat and mouse game starts right away,” said Mattingly. “As soon as you have some success, guys starting to try and do different things. They get you out a few times, they’re going to stay there until you make the adjustment.”
For now, the Dodgers hope Guerrero can continue to contribute on offense, with key offensive components Yasiel Puig and Carl Crawford both on the 15-day disabled list.
