The Los Angeles Dodgers entered the All-Star break with a 61-29 record and comfortably ahead in the standings for the best record in baseball. They opened the second half with a three-game series against the Miami Marlins, which saw Yasiel Puig provide late-game heroics.
Brandon McCarthy kept the Marlins at bay with just one run allowed through four innings. At the same time, the Dodgers got on board in the second inning thanks to a double steal, with Joc Pederson scoring at home plate.
Puig and Corey Seager each hit solo home runs in the fifth, giving the Dodgers a 3-1 lead. However, Giancarlo Stanton smacked a first-pitch sinker for an opposite-field double, cutting the lead to 3-2.
Justin Bour then hit another double into the left-center gap, scoring two runs and giving the Marlins a 4-3 lead.
The Dodgers were down to their final chance in the ninth, when the familiar magic from earlier in the season surfaced yet again. A.J. Ramos needed one more out to convert his save opportunity.
Pederson knocked a single and Yasmani Grandal kept the inning alive by drawing a walk. Puig fell behind in the count, 1-2, but hit a fastball for a game-winning three-run home run. Puig pounded his chest and waved at teammates in the dugout, who were equally jubilant.
To view honorable mentions and other Dodgers top moments from the 2017 season, visit here.
