Dodgers' Cody Bellinger ties NL record with 38 home runs

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Cody Bellinger hit his 38th home run of the season Saturday to match a National League rookie record.

His second-inning homer off Washington Nationals starter A.J. Colein the Dodgers' 3-2 victory Saturday tied Wally Berger (Braves, 1930) and Frank Robinson (Reds, 1956).

"A September callup. That was the goal in spring training," Bellinger said about how he saw this season prior to the season. "Obviously, I wanted to be up there sooner, but with the team that we had, I didn't think there was a chance. Everything that came this year has been kind of crazy."

Mark McGwire holds the all-time rookie record with 49, which he set in 1987 with the Oakland Athletics. The Yankees' Aaron Judge has 43 this season.

After missing nine games last month with a sprained ankle, Bellinger appears poised for a sprint to the finish.

"Figuratively and literally, he's got his legs under him," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.