What happened

Andy Pages turned on a pitch and drove it out for a two-run home run, swinging the game in favor of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The blast handed Los Angeles the lead and gave the outfielder another marquee moment in a season full of them. It was the latest in a steady run of production from a hitter the Dodgers have leaned on in the heart of the order.

Why it matters

Los Angeles entered the day at 54-30, one of the strongest records in the National League, and Pages has been central to that offense. His latest blast adds to the All-Star case the Dodgers have openly campaigned for, reinforcing his standing as one of the league's breakout bats this season. Power from that spot in the lineup is exactly what a contender needs as the schedule tightens.

By the numbers

The Dodgers came in at 54-30, averaging 5.3 runs per game while allowing just 3.5. They have won four of their last five and carried a two-game winning streak into the day, a run of form that Pages' bat has helped fuel. The gap between runs scored and runs allowed underlines why Los Angeles sits among the NL's best.

What to watch next

The question now is whether the Dodgers can protect the lead Pages provided and keep building on their recent surge. A team scoring at this clip and limiting opponents to 3.5 runs a night has the profile to hold late advantages. Watch how Los Angeles closes out games like this one as it presses its push through the heart of the schedule.