A.J. Ellis’ bat comes to life

For more Saturday photos, visit LA Photog Blog.

By Jon Weisman

As odd as it might be in October, A.J. Ellis is in his best physical shape of the year.

That helps account for the smashing game he had in Friday’s National League Division Series opener.

Ellis singled in the second and third innings, pounded a two-run homer in the sixth that at the time seemed to put the game away, and then even started the Dodgers’ near-comeback in the ninth with his fourth hit of the game.

The night gave Ellis a .450 on-base percentage and .722 slugging percentage in 41 career postseason plate appearances.

Don Mattingly discussed the 33-year-old catcher’s season before tonight’s game …

“A.J. had a good postseason last year, swung the bat well, I thought,” Mattingly said. “I feel like this season’s been a tough year on him, if you really want to get into the whole A.J. thing.

“For me, he’s had knee surgery during the season. Once he finally got back from that — and that’s during the season, not offseason — he has a weird injury and turns the ankle and does that pretty good, where he’s out almost three weeks with that. And then once he gets back from that, about eight to 10 days later, he gets hit right on the knee on foul tips two days in a row, same spot.

“A.J. had a tough year getting his legs underneath him, as far as being able to continue to work, continue to do the maintenance program, continue to lift weights. So to me, he didn’t really have his legs all year long.

“Over probably the last six to eight weeks, he’s been able to kind of do a weight program, strengthening program. He was able to do his maintenance. And to me, that’s why his swing is getting better and better.

“I think it’s been a frustrating year for him offensively, but I think it’s been coming. We’ve seen better swings. He’s been a little bit more on the attack. But A.J.’s a guy for me, he’s gonna be good in these type of scenarios, because he’s gonna know pitchers and know what they’re trying to do, he’s gonna have a game plan and stick with it.”

Despite his season-long struggles at the plate, Ellis never stopped drawing walks — in fact, his 53 walks in 93 games this season marked the first time he walked in more than half his games. But after hitting 23 homers in 2012-13, Ellis was stuck on a single round-tripper until hitting two in Wrigley Field in September. A little more muscle from his bat couldn’t come at a better time for the Dodgers.