Rich Hill only managed to pitch four innings Saturday in Game 2 of the National League Division Series, but he kept the Los Angeles Dodgers within striking distance after allowing a two-run home run to Paul Goldschmidt in the first inning.
Pitching against a conservative strike zone, Hill walked three batters but only allowed three hits. He stranded a Jake Lamb leadoff single in the second inning, left two runners on base in the third, and struck out a pair in a 1-2-3 fourth inning.
Hill was removed in favor of pinch-hitter Kyle Farmer with one out and the bases loaded. Farmer struck out but pushed Arizona Diamondbacks starter Robbie Ray in a competitive at-bat. Prior to striking out Farmer, Ray’s wild pitch allowed the tying run to score.
Three innings after his removal, Hill emerged in the dugout with a cardboard sign that read, “Make Some Noise.” He held it over his head while facing the stands on the third-base side of Dodger Stadium.
“I was trying to get the crowd into it a little more,” Hill explained. “It was a little subdued atmosphere. We wanted to see everybody get into it a little bit more.” His message was delivered shortly after Brandon Drury’s three-run homer cut the Dodgers’ comfortable lead to just 7-5.
Fans in attendance had the expected response to Hill’s sign, and the crowd continued cheering when Chris Taylor’s grounder went through the legs of Ketel Marte, scoring a run.
While Hill spoke with a sense of satisfaction over the success of his hand-written creation, it violated MLB rules. “The sign worked for a little bit, then I found out it’s not quite allowed in the dugout. It was all in good fun,” Hill said with a laugh.
It’s plausible he will be fined by Major League Baseball.
