ATLANTA - The Los Angeles Dodgers are hitting home runs at a record pace, and manager Dave Roberts loves every minute of it.
"It makes me look really good, and it makes the Dodgers look really good," Roberts said. "These are guys that really understand situations, what a pitcher is trying to do to them. Guys like that you want in big spots."
Cody Bellinger hit his 41st home run of the season, and Max Muncy and Justin Turner connected against Atlanta reliever Sean Newcomb in the seventh inning as Los Angeles beat the Braves 8-3 Friday night in a matchup of National League division leaders.
The successful display of power was nothing new for the Dodgers, who are 13-3 since July 30 and set an MLB record with 22 homers in a five-game span when Will Smith launched a two-run shot off Jerry Blevins in the eighth inning.
"I think we're a pretty complete team all around," Muncy said. "Obviously the home runs are what you notice, but look at what happens before the home runs."
The Dodgers improved to 18-6 against Atlanta since 2016, using Muncy's three-run homer and Turner's solo shot to lead 6-3 after Newcomb relieved starter Mike Soroka. Los Angeles, which has won the past two NL pennants, eliminated the Braves from the postseason last year in a division series and swept them at home in May.
Los Angeles led 1-0 in the second when Bellinger crushed a homer to right-center field, his fourth in five games to take the NL lead. He began the night tied with Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout for most in the majors.
The NL East-leading Braves pounced on Kenta Maeda in the bottom half, going ahead 3-1 on Matt Joyce's two-run double and Ronald Acuña Jr.'s hard RBI single to left-center.
Maeda avoided further trouble when Freddie Freeman lined out with the bases loaded. The right-hander struck out seven straight before Josh Donaldson singled with two outs in the fifth.
Adam Kolarek (5-3), who replaced Maeda and pitched 1 1/3 hitless innings, got the win. Julio Urías worked three scoreless innings for his fourth save.
The West-leading Dodgers got a run back in the third off Soroka on Joc Pederson's RBI single.
Soroka has gone six straight starts without a win, but he was in line for his 11th this year when Newcomb (5-3) replaced him with two outs in the seventh. Soroka allowed three runs and seven hits. He escaped a bases-loaded jam in the sixth when Edwin Ríos grounded into a double play.
However, the Atlanta bullpen settled into its familiar role of falling apart this month. Newcomb set the tone by walking the first batter he faced.
"When you come in, you can't walk guys," Braves manager Brian Snitker said. "I know it happens and they're not trying to or anything like that, but it's rough when you keep adding the baserunners. The most important person that guy faces when he comes out of the bullpen is that first one pretty much all the time."
Muncy's 30th homer of 2019 sailed into the seats in right-center as the sellout crowd at SunTrust Park moaned. Turner followed with a drive to the same part of the ballpark, the 14th time the Dodgers have hit back-to-back shots this season.
Muncy figured Newcomb would come back with a slider after starting him off with two breaking balls and a fastball.
"It kind of popped out of his hand a little bit," Muncy said. "He didn't throw it where he wanted to, and I was able to put the barrel to it."
Muncy is the first Dodger with consecutive seasons of 30 homers since Shawn Green in 2001-02.
Acuña stole his NL-leading 29th base and needs one more to join Trout in 2012 as the only player in baseball history with a season of 30 homers and as many steals before his 22nd birthday. Acuña has 35 homers.
The Dodgers won their 82nd game to clinch a winning record and haven't had a losing season since 2010.
Braves center fielder Ender Inciarte left after hurting his right hamstring while rounding third base to score a run. Rafael Ortega took his place.
Atlanta shortstop Dansby Swanson has missed 22 games with a bruised right foot and has no timetable yet for a rehab assignment.