Kiké Hernández did not start for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday, but he still managed to make the biggest impact in their 7-6 extra innings win over the Boston Red Sox.
Hernández pinch-hit for Gavin Lux in the seventh inning when the Red Sox went to a left-hander out of the bullpen, and struck out in his first at-bat. However, he went on to go 2-for-3 with two runs scored, two RBI and a home run, leading the Dodgers to victory from the brink of defeat.
With the Dodgers trailing by one run to start the ninth, Hernández tied the game with a solo home run against Kenley Jansen that forced extra innings.
After the Red Sox took a 6-4 lead in the 10th, Andy Pages doubled home a run and put himself in scoring position. Hernández once again came through, singling to drive in Pages and tie the game.
That took the game to the 11th inning, where Hernández was the ghost runner after producing the final out in the 10th inning. The Dodgers ended up loading the bases, and Will Smith singled to drive in Hernández for the game winning run.
According to OptaStats, Hernández became the first player in MLB history to hit a game-tying home run (9th), have another game-tying hit (10th) and score the game-winning run (11th) all in the ninth inning or later of the same game.
Yesterday the @Dodgers' Kiké Hernández:
hit a game-tying home run (9th)
had another game-tying hit (10th)
scored the game-winning run (11th)No one else in MLB history has accomplished all 3 feats in the 9th inning or later in the same game. pic.twitter.com/zvMznWaktP
— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) July 21, 2024
The 32-year-old has had a disastrous season, and previous few years, at the plate, so he was glad to contribute to the club.
A fan favorite, Hernández has had many clutch moments throughout his career and seems to have a knack for the spotlight.
Despite that, his spot on the roster has been in question as the Dodgers look to improve the production from their bench and role players.
He has seen an uptick in playing time with the injuries to multiple position players, and the Dodgers will need more productive games to justify keeping him around past the trade deadline.
Kiké Hernández reaches 10 years of service time
On top of delivering in clutch moments, Saturday was notable in that Hernández reached 10 years of Major League service time.
He joined Dodgers teammates Mookie Betts and Blake Treinen in achieving the milestone this season.
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