The Los Angeles Dodgers overcame a four-run deficit against the Philadelphia Phillies on Memorial Day to not only improve to 9-2 in their last 11 games, but also move into sole possession of third place in the National League West.
The Dodgers’ epic comeback victory didn’t seem possible until Yasiel Puig produced the club’s first hit in the sixth inning against Phillies starter Vince Velasquez — a single that turned into two bases after Rhys Hoskins misplayed the ball in left field.
Puig later scored the Dodgers’ first run of the game when Justin Turner singled him home with two outs in the inning — subsequently ending Velasquez’s outing as a result.
The 27-year-old then sparked another rally in the eighth with a leadoff infield single to third baseman Maikel Franco. Puig’s hustle ultimately proved key as he later scored the Dodgers’ third run on Matt Kemp’s pinch-hit double — trimming the Phillies’ lead to one.
Los Angeles would score two more runs in the frame before handing the ball to Kenley Jansen, who recorded his 12th save of the season and locked down the win.
After the game, Puig explained that he tries to motivate his teammates on the field, via Ken Gurnick of MLB.com:
“My team is looking for Puig to do his crazy stuff,” Puig said. “When I do something good or crazy or whatever you call it, my team plays better. I try to do something every night to give energy to my team to play better.”
After a slow start to the season, Puig has evidently turned a corner at the plate. Since returning from the disabled list on May 9, the 27-year-old is hitting .298/.377/.638 with one double, five home runs and eight RBI over 53 trips to the plate.
That’s compared to a .193/.250/.250 showing in April, where Puig accumulated less extra-base hits (five) and RBI (seven) in nearly twice the amount of plate appearances (96).
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