The Los Angeles Dodgers capitalized on playing an overmatched Chicago White Sox team as they secured a series sweep in the finale with a 4-0 win at Guaranteed Rate Field on Wednesday.
The Dodgers’ offense gave Gavin Stone four runs of support, but it turns out that all he needed was one as he pitched a complete-game shutout, which was the team’s first since the 2022 season and first by a rookie in 11 seasons.
But arguably the biggest news to come out of the game was Shohei Ohtani’s record-breaking 10th consecutive game with at least one RBI, which gave him sole possession of the Dodgers franchise record.
It turned out that wasn’t the only noteworthy moment involving Ohtani. During a Kiké Hernández at-bat later in the game, a nifty display of athleticism by Dodgers bat boy Javier Herrera saved Ohtani from being hit.
In the video, which later made the rounds across all of social media, Herrera showcased his impressive reaction time and hand-eye coordination to catch a foul ball that was whizzing toward Ohtani and Dodgers bench coach Danny Lehmann in the dugout.
Herrera downplayed his heroic feat when speaking to the media about the viral event, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times:
“I don’t know,” a reluctant Herrera said. “I was just doing my job.”
Asked about his quick reaction time, Herrera, who is in his 18th year with the club, said, “I saw the pitch all the way through. It hit the bat, and the ball pretty much found me. I was able to grab it.”
Later on, Herrera went back to watch the film, and came out more impressed with it:
“I saw it 100 times,” Herrera said. “It was pretty impressive. I was impressed. But in the moment, it was just like, ‘OK, let’s keep playing.’”
Ohtani has been instrumental to the Dodgers’ success in the wake of Mookie Betts’ injury. During his 10-game RBI streak, Ohtani hit .444/.563/1.194 with eight home runs and 17 RBI.
That finally came to an end on Friday, but Ohtani has still positioned himself to win National League Player of the Month for June.
Herrera’s catch isn’t going to show up in the scorebook, but it may be one of the most important ones a member of the Dodgers organization makes all season.
Dugout reaction to the catch by Dodgers bat boy
Every new watch of Herrera’s catch provides a look at the different reactions by the players, coaches, and other team personnel.
The overall reaction was impressed, and a sense of relief as well.
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