Yasiel Puig by all accounts has been on his bet behavior since the Los Angeles Dodgers recalled their mercurial outfielder from Triple-A Oklahoma City. Puig met with teammates and manager Dave Roberts to get an understanding of what was expected from him, with the message seemingly understood.
The 25-year-old was in the lineup Wednesday night for the third time in six games this month. Puig made a pinch-hit appearance in Tuesday’s victory. Thus far, his starts have come when the Dodgers faced a left-handed pitcher.
While it appears Puig is platooning with Josh Reddick in right field, Roberts recently explained why he doesn’t believe the arrangement is such.
The Dodgers fell behind the Diamondbacks in the top of the first inning, but quickly responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the frame.
Their lead remained 2-1 as Robbie Ray settled in and breezed his way through the Dodgers’ lineup. Ray had retired eight batters in a row when Puig stepped to the plate with one out in the bottom of the sixth.
He not only snapped the southpaw’s string of consecutive batters retired but also provided the Dodgers with an insurance run:
Watch it fly, @YasielPuig. ? pic.twitter.com/mSqI8Q4IkH
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 8, 2016
The home run was Puig’s ninth this season and second since rejoining the Dodgers. He also contributed with a sacrifice fly, which gave the Dodgers a 2-1 lead in the first inning.
Puig’s three-run homer on Sunday gave Los Angeles a 3-2 lead over the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers went on for a 7-4.
In 85 games this season Puig is batting .266/.329/.409. He’s 4-for-9 with four runs scored, two home runs, five RBI and two walks after a month-long stint with Oklahoma City. Puig returned to the Majors humbled by his experience and vowing to be a better teammate.
