Heading into Monday’s series opener between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins, the prevailing story was Walker Buehler making his first career Major League start. Marlins starter Jarlin Garcia began to steel the spotlight, but it was then taken from him by Kiké Hernandez in a 2-1 victory.
After Garcia walked Chris Taylor to lead off the bottom of the first, he retired the next nine batters to take a no-hitter into the fourth inning. It was broken up by Hernandez, who hit a full-count fastball for a solo home run to give the Dodgers a lead.
Prior to breaking up the scoreless tie, Hernandez twice flashed incredible athleticism in his third game (second start) at shortstop this season. In the second inning, he made a sliding stop on a chopper up the middle, spun and fired a strike to first base to rob Miguel Rojas of a hit.
One inning later, Hernandez made a similar play on another chopper, but that time went across second base to take a hit away from Starlin Castro.
In both instances Hernandez was instrumental in the game not beginning to get away from Buehler. He allowed four hits and issued three walks while notching five strikeouts in five shutout innings. While throwing 89 pitches, his fastball ranged from 93-99 mph and topped out at 100 mph.
Buehler’s outing began on a bit of a rough note as J.T. Realmuto and Castro hit back-to-back singles with one out in the first inning. Buehler then walked Cameron Maybin to load the bases with two outs but wiggled out of the jam by picking up his second strikeout of the inning.
Buehler was on track to get his pitch count back under control, only to walk Garcia with two outs in the second inning. Hernandez’s first amazing defensive play prevented the situation from worsening.
After retiring the Marlins in order in the third inning, Buehler stranded a pair in the fourth and one in the fifth. After Ross Stripling turned in two hitless innings, J.T. Chargois allowed the Marlins to tie the game in the eighth.
He hit Realmuto to start the inning, then was hurt by Austin Barnes’ throwing error that prevented a double play from being turned. Brian Anderson’s single up the middle then scored Castro.
Undeterred, the Dodgers answered right back in the bottom of the eighth, beginning with a Chris Taylor leadoff double. Hernandez’s attempt at a sacrifice bunt resulted in a hit because Marlins reliever Kyle Barraclough failed to field his position.
Cody Bellinger’s line drive to right field that required J.B. Shuck to make a sliding catch, served as a de facto sacrifice fly that gave the Dodgers their decided lead. With Kenley Jansen having pitched two consecutive days, Josh Field handled closing duties.
Yasmani Grandal went 0-for-4 which snapped his career-best 11-game hitting streak. Meanwhile, Hernandez improved to 7-for-10 with a double, two home runs and two walks in his last five games.
