The Los Angeles Dodgers left 10 ducks on the pond as they went 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position against the San Diego Padres in Game 2 of the National League Division Series, but in the eighth inning, a goose flew into Dodger Stadium.
With two outs, a bird landed just behind second base while Gavin Lux was batting. It immediately drew the attention of fans both at the stadium and on TV while also inciting a debate of whether the bird was a duck or goose.
The bird, which happened to be a greater white-fronted goose, is a species that migrates at night. Bright lights can disorient birds that travel at night, according to the Los Angeles Audubon, which is likely the reason for its landing and stay on the field.
The goose remained settled into shallow right field as Lux roped a single down the line and when Trayce Thompson walked. But unfortunately for the Dodgers, they didn’t create the legend of a rally goose as Austin Barnes, who was pinch-hitting for Cody Bellinger, flied out to end the inning against Josh Hader.
A wild goose chase took place on the field as it flew away and landed near Cody Bellinger and the Dodgers’ on-deck circle as the grounds crew was running after it. When the crew got close to the bird, it flew away again and landed to the right of third base, which may have turned that into fowl territory.
They ended up capturing the bird there and carried it away in a trash can off the field. The goose may have been the highlight of the night for fans as the Dodgers dropped the game 5-3 to tie the series at 1-1.
Gavin Lux ‘a lot more comfortable’ playing second base for Dodgers
Lux enjoyed his most successful season this year as he grew into a regular contributor and posted career highs in several categories.
The 24-year-old hit .276/.346/.399 with 20 doubles, seven triples, six home runs and 42 RBI across 471 plate appearances and 129 games. He also provided versatility by appearing at second base, left field and shortstop.
But with the postseason underway, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he expects Lux to stay at second base, where the utility man feels more comfortable playing as opposed to the outfield, which he was tasked with doing last year.
“Yeah, definitely,” Lux said when asked if he prefers playing second base. “I think the outfield last year was a little bit of a grind. Every game had anxiety, running out there and never really doing it but trying to grind through it and help the team any way possible. I think second base is a lot more comfortable.”
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