The Los Angeles Dodgers again fell short against the Houston Astros, but it didn’t prevent Joc Pederson from enjoying more success against Justin Verlander. Pederson tagged the right-hander for a solo home run in Game 2 of the 2017 World Series.
He struck again in the bottom of the first inning on Friday night, taking low-and-inside fastball for a leadoff home run down the right-field line. It marked a second consecutive game Pederson led off with a home run, which made history.
Per STATS, Pederson and Carl Furillo are the only Dodgers players to lead off back-to-back games with a home run. Furillo accomplished the feat with Brooklyn on July 12 and 13, 1951.
Pederson’s homer was the only run the Dodgers mustered off Verlander and Hector Rondon in their 2-1 loss. Verlander matched a career high (fourth time) and season high by collecting 14 strikeouts over 7.2 innings.
Pederson nearly delivered a second home run off Verlander, but his drive hooked foul, and he wound up striking out. Pederson has built on a successful month of June and carried a hot bat into the second half of the season.
He hit safely in five consecutive starts during the Dodgers’ recent road trip, and is batting .333/.348/.622 with a .409 wOBA and 162 wRC+ in the second half.
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