The Los Angeles Dodgers were three innings from another series win but the night took a turn for the worse with Kenta Maeda on the mound, and the end result was the Philadelphia Phillies coming away victorious in 16 innings.
They did so on the back of Trevor Plouffe’s three-run walk-off home run against Kiké Hernandez. The pitching appearance was a career first for Hernandez, who has now played every position for the Dodgers except catcher.
He began Tuesday night by starting at second base, and then moved to right field in the 14th inning. Per STATS LLC, Hernandez became the first player to play the infield, outfield and allow at least three runs in the same game since Babe Ruth on October 1, 1921.
Ruth saw a six-run lead slip away but still earned the win in extra innings. Furthermore, by taking the loss, Hernandez became the first full-time position player in MLB history to allow a walk-off home run.
Although the Dodgers had exhausted seven of their relievers (Caleb Ferguson was unavailable), that Hernandez took the mound was a bit of a surprise. Rich Hill made his way to the bullpen to begin warming up, presumably to give the Dodgers a long option.
But manager Dave Roberts explained after the loss that he was saving Hill for a potential save situation. The Dodgers and Phillies will be back at Citizens Bank Park for the rubber match less than 12 hours after wrapping up their marathon of a game.
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