When the Los Angeles Dodgers began a three-game series at Petco Park, they were an underwhelming 5-9 on the season. They completed a sweep of the San Diego Padres and looked to be the team many expected when the year began.
There were some bumps along the way, as Kenley Jansen blew his second save of the season, and Kenta Maeda battled some command issues in his start on Wednesday. But all told, the Dodgers outscored the Padres, 30-10, across their three wins.
Though nothing came of it, there was a frustrating moment on an individual level for Joc Pederson in the seventh inning of the series finale. With two outs and a runner on second base, he attempted to make a leaping catch against the wall/railing in foul territory off left field.
Pederson dropped the ball as he landed, then comically fired it up into the stands once the umpires ruled it a foul ball. The arm strength Pederson displayed further explains why he was on the verge of pitching in an extra-innings game earlier this season.
The play was reminiscent of Cincinnati Reds first baseman Joey Vott chucking a foul ball out of Wrigley Field last season. It came one night after Votto mimicked doing so.
The Dodgers challenged the initially ruling, which was upheld after review. Adam Liberatore then retired Carlos Asuage on the next pitch to preserve the Dodgers’ 9-4 lead.
While he was unable to come up with the catch, Pederson went 2-for-5 with an RBI in what was his sixth start of the season.
