Storied rivals Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants met on Jackie Robinson Day at Dodger Stadium in another matchup featuring Clayton Kershaw and Madison Bumgarner. The two aces started against one another on April 9, though neither earned a decision in the Dodgers’ extra-innings win.
Kershaw retired the Giants in order in the first inning, including striking out Joe Panik swinging. Kiké Hernandez didn’t take long to add to his career success against Bumgarner, as he drilled the left-hander’s first pitch for a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first.
Adrian Gonzalez hit a one-out single, but was stranded by Justin Turner and Howie Kendrick. Hunter Pence, Brandon Belt and Matt Duffy failed to reach base in the second inning, with Duffy going down looking.
Bumgarner broke up Kershaw’s perfect game with a one-out base hit in the third inning that landed one step in front of Hernandez. Kershaw was then let down by his defense as Kendrick’s error on a chopper put a second runner on with one out. Angel Pagan followed with a single to right that loaded the bases.
After Panik fouled out, San Francisco tied the game on a ball that was up and in to Buster Posey and went for a wild pitch. Hernandez then helped his pitcher out by making a diving catch on a Posey sinking liner to end the inning.
Hernandez hit a second home run off Bumgarner in the bottom of the third, extending the Dodgers’ lead to 2-0. To that point, the utility man was a lifetime 9-for-15 with three doubles and three home runs against the Giants’ ace.
CONTINUE READING: Kiké Hernandez adds to big night
