Justin Turner went 1-for-4 with a stolen base in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ loss to the Chicago Cubs in Game 5 of the National League Division Series. The base hit extended Turner’s streak to 15 consecutive postseason games reaching safely, which set a new franchise record.
Carl Furillo reached in 14 straight postseason games for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1953-56. Of Turner’s streak, 10 games have come this postseason. He’s batting .313/.488/.563 with one triple, two home runs and eight RBI.
This marks a second straight October where the utility-man-turned-everyday-third-baseman has played a pivotal role for the Dodgers.
Turner went 10-for-19 with six doubles, four RBI, two runs scored and one walk while starting in all five games against the New York Mets the NL Division Series in 2015.
His 10 hits were the most ever by a Dodger player in a Division Series and the most by a Dodger in any postseason series since Steve Garvey’s 10 hits in the 1981 World Series. What’s more, Turner’s six doubles set a Dodgers record for most in any postseason series.
Turner signed with the Dodgers in February 2014 on a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training. He was non-tendered by the Mets after the 2013 season, becoming a free agent.
Turner hit .275/.339/.493 this season with 34 doubles, 27 home runs and 90 RBI in 151 games. He was tied for first on the team in home runs and RBI. Turner, who will turn 32 years old in November, is eligible for free agency this winter.
Although he’s due to sign a lucrative, long-term deal for the first time in his career, the free agency process is something Turner said he is not looking forward to.