After multiple years spent filling a super utility role for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kiké Hernandez went into the 2019 season with a set job at second base. Yet his contributions in Friday’s win over the Milwaukee Brewers came with Hernandez appearing off the bench.
It wasn’t until the bottom of the sixth inning when he entered the game, taking over at second base as part of a double switch. The eighth inning was when Hernandez made his mark as the Dodgers extended their winning streak to a season-best six games.
After leaving the bases loaded against Josh Hader in the seventh inning, the Dodgers again stressed the Brewers’ vaunted relief pitcher the next inning. A.J. Pollock worked a leadoff walk and David Freese followed suit two batters later.
The two free passes matched the amount the flame-throwing lefty had over 10 innings pitched across his previous seven games.
Hader struck out Austin Barnes, then had Hernandez in an 0-2 hole. Rather than put him away, Hader allowed a game-winning three-run homer on the third pitch of the at-bat.
Hernandez became just the second player to ever hit a home run off Hader when behind in the count, and the first to do it at 0-2. Furthermore, it was the first time Hernandez hit a homer in an 0-2 count.
