The Los Angeles Dodgers took two of three games from the San Francisco Giants amid scorching temperatures at Dodger Stadium, but David Villar was red-hot during the matchup.
Villar had a 2.653 on-base plus slugging percentage, and according to STATS LLC, he now holds the highest OPS by any rookie in a three-game series during the Modern Era (since 1901) of MLB history. Villar went 6-for-9 at the plate, including three home runs, five RBI and four runs scored.
The 25-year-old accounted for all of the Giants’ offense in the series finale, including a two-run home run in the fifth inning off of Clayton Kershaw that broke a scoreless tie. His second homer came in the seventh inning on a first-pitch fastball in the heart of the plate that Villar launched over the wall in center field.
Outside of the series with the Dodgers, Villar struggled in a few stints with the Giants this season. Before Monday, Villar posted a .157/.310/.257 batting line, including one home run and seven RBI in 87 plate appearances, good for a 73 wRC+.
David Villar of the @SFGiants finished the 3-game set at Dodger Stadium with a 2.653 OPS.
That's the highest OPS by any MLB rookie in a 3-game series in the modern era (minimum 8 AB).
— Stats By STATS (@StatsBySTATS) September 8, 2022
After the series with the Dodgers, Villar now holds a 123 wRC+ this season. The three-game set was more indicative of the success Villar had at Triple-A Sacramento, where he posted a 1.022 OPS and 147 wRC+ for the River Cats.
But even with his power display, the Giants were eliminated from contention in the National League West with their loss Tuesday.
Dodgers withstand David Villar’s home run derby
The Dodgers found their own rhythm at the plate with 17 total runs in three games against the Giants, including seven homers of their own. They collected 28 hits, with 13 of them for extra bases.
After Andrew Heaney gave up six runs on Monday, the Dodgers pitching staff buckled down and held the Giants in check for three runs in each of the next two games.
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