It’s nice to see Teoscar Hernandez’s batting starting to pick up some momentum.
They really needed that improvement, especially after a costly defensive misstep on Thursday night.
During the fifth inning, with the Dodgers down two runs to the Giants, Hernandez made a remarkable play in left field that unfortunately turned a routine hit into a game-winning two-run homer.
It all began with Lee Jung-hoo hitting a shallow flare down the line. Hernandez initially chased it but then hesitated, seeming to expect the ball to bounce over the short wall for a ground-rule double.
But then things went horribly wrong.
The ball stayed in play and rolled past Hernandez into the left field corner. By the time he retrieved it, Lee was already speeding home. The relay throw came too late, and suddenly, the game was tied.
This was particularly frustrating for a Dodgers team that had been struggling, entering Thursday with a 10-14 record since mid-April. This could have led to another demoralizing defeat.
For Hernandez, who was just starting to emerge from a tough early-season slump, this could have marked a new low point for him.
But after just one inning, everything changed.
The Dodgers went on to win 5-2, and Hernandez quickly had his chance for redemption.
In the bottom of the sixth, he played a crucial role, scoring three runs with his third hit of the evening.
After working a full count against Giants pitcher Landen Loup, he hit a line drive to left, advancing to second and placing two runners in scoring position. Then, with two outs in the first inning, he hit a two-run pinch hit off Alex Cole and crossed the plate, visibly relieved.
The Dodgers (26-18) added another run shortly after with an RBI single from Miguel Rojas. They managed to salvage a split in their four-game rivalry series, supported by Emmett Sheehan’s two-run start in the sixth and three scoreless innings from the bullpen, leading to their second consecutive win.
So, for Hernandez, what could have been a nightmare turned into a positive. And for the Dodgers, a potential disaster was averted.
What It Means
Interestingly, it turns out that the Dodgers can still win without their star, Shohei Ohtani.
On Thursday, the two-way player had a rare day off, following a grueling seven-inning, 105-pitch outing. Without him, the Dodgers turned to Will Smith to fill in as designated hitter and leadoff for the first time in his MLB career. Smith stepped up, hitting the first four pitches deep and breaking a three-week home run drought.
This set a positive tone for the Dodgers, marking their first high-scoring performance since last Wednesday. In the second inning, Hernandez hit one of his two doubles, extending the team’s lead to two runs, while Kim Hye-sung added an RBI from 12 at-bats.
Building on their sixth-inning rally, the Dodgers improved to 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position. This showed a slight enhancement in their situational hitting, which had been lacking during some recent rough patches.
Who Is Hot
Hernandez is definitely on a roll—at least at the plate.
While his defensive slip-ups were unexpected, especially given his recent improvements in left field, his 3-for-4 hitting performance reflected a turnaround. He entered Thursday with a plus-1 line.
From early April to early May, he struggled mightily, batting just .196 and failing to hit an extra base in his last two weeks of that stretch.
But after dropping to the eighth spot in the batting order early this week, Hernandez has found his rhythm again.
In his last four games, he’s gone 7-for-15, with three doubles (including two on Thursday) and only three strikeouts, bringing his season batting average back to .262 and OPS to .732.
Who Is Not?
Tyler Glasnow, at least not on the fast track to recovery.
The Dodgers had hoped the All-Star right-hander would miss just 15 days on the disabled list due to back spasms and might be back for next weekend’s game in Milwaukee. However, manager Dave Roberts said on Thursday that Glasnow wouldn’t be ready by then, and they’ve chosen to take more time with his recovery.
While Glasnow has been throwing in the outfield, Roberts expressed uncertainty on when he would be back on the mound.
This means pitches spots remain secure for players like Roki Sasaki and Emmett Sheehan, who appeared in better shape on Thursday, averaging nearly 95 mph with their fastballs and getting seven swings and misses on 14 sliders.
To the Next
The Dodgers start a nine-game road trip on Friday, but it’s not too far. They will head to Anaheim for three games against the Angels. Blake Snell is making his second start since returning from a shoulder injury in the opener, facing right-hander Jack Kochanowicz (2-2, 3.97).
