The Los Angeles Dodgers once again fell behind the San Diego Padres in the second of their four-game series, only to come back for another win.
In the series opener, the Padres went up 6-0 before the Dodgers scored 12 unanswered runs. The level of offense wasn’t the same on Friday night, but it ended up being a similar story.
The Padres took a 3-0 lead, and the Dodgers seemed to have no hope against Michael King.
King was perfect until allowing a two-out single to Freddie Freeman in the fourth inning, and that was the Dodgers’ only hit against him until Dalton Rushing singled in the sixth.
King went back out for the seventh and walked Mookie Betts before Max Muncy followed with a single that chased him from the game.
He was replaced by Adrian Morejon, who got Kyle Tucker to hit a ground ball that should have been a rally-killing double play. Instead, Jake Cronenworth made an error that allowed the Dodgers to load the bases with no one out.
Teoscar Hernández then slugged a grand slam on the first pitch of the at-bat.
“I was looking for something in,” Hernández told Kirsten Watson on SportsNet LA. “Obviously, he was throwing really hard. Every pitch that he throws is really hard, so just something middle in and try to put a good swing on it. He left a slider over the plate, and I hit it out.”
That gave the Dodgers a 4-3 lead and proved to be the game-winning hit, as neither offense scored again.
Fans at Dodger Stadium were electric and erupted as Hernández hit the go-ahead grand slam.
Hernández has had a slow start since returning from the injured list, but Dodgers fans have continued to show their appreciation.
“A lot of support from the fans, as always,” Hernández said. “It feels really good. I’m really happy I’m here and I was able to do that in front of them.”
Teoscar Hernández raising autism awareness
Hernández wears protective padding on his left elbow, left hand, and left shin while at the plate, featuring a colorful puzzle-piece design associated with autism awareness.
Hernández explained during an appearance on “Dodger Talk” with David Vassegh that it’s in honor of his oldest son and all others who are affected.
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