Kike Hernadez takes Josh Hader deep to give the Dodgers the lead, a breakdown.
What Happened
In a crucial eighth-inning moment, Kiké Hernández of the Los Angeles Dodgers steps up to the plate against dominant Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader. The Dodgers trail by one run with two outs and runners on base. Hader, one of the most dominant relievers in baseball, has never allowed a hit to Hernández in their previous matchups. Hader quickly jumps ahead in the count, blowing a 94 mph fastball past Hernández for strike one. The next pitch comes inside, with Hernández barely avoiding the high-and-tight fastball. The Dodgers' utility man argues the call, but the umpire rightly rules it a strike. Now down 0-2, Hernández digs in, refusing to give away this critical at-bat. Hader winds up and unleashes another blazing fastball, but this time Hernández is ready. He swings with all his might and crushes the pitch, sending it soaring over the wall for a go-ahead three-run home run. The Miller Park crowd falls silent as Hernández rounds the bases, his Los Angeles Dodgers teammates erupting in celebration in the dugout. "I gotcha," Hernández exclaims, having solved the Hader puzzle that has puzzled so many other hitters. It's the first time in Hader's career that he has surrendered three earned runs in an outing, a testament to Hernández's clutch hitting. Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner, sporting his signature unruly hairstyle, jubilantly congratulates Hernández as the Dodgers take the lead late in this pivotal National League matchup. The go-ahead blast sets off a raucous celebration among the Dodgers, who know they have seized control of this tight ballgame against their NL rivals. Hernández's heroics have given Los Angeles a critical advantage as they look to secure an important road victory and inch closer to the Brewers in the standings.
Full Transcript
Click timestamps to jump to that momentthis was probably the biggest at-bat
yesterday as you can see to to game top
eight two outs two on haters pitching
he's got 31 pitches Hernandez at
the plate he's over 5 verse hater
lifetime never gotten a hit verse um
blows him away with that fastball haters
just nasty 94 but it looks so much
faster second pitch comes inside 94
inside Hernandez doesn't like to call
ask the young play key that was a strike
is it yep it was inside is inside ok I
don't trust you anymore so I just got a
swing all the fans in Milwaukee are like
two strikes two outs we're getting out
of this we'll take the lead in the
eighth this game is ours let's go haters
unstoppable Hernandez says throw it
throw it
BAM when outside inside and then leaves
one right in the middle and Hernandez
takes care of it that's a cool at-bat Oh
2 pitch I would have wasted one but he
he thought he had him with the fastball
is the whole time so he goes Hernandez
says I gotcha
first hit off of Hader second time in
haters career he's given up three earned
runs in an outing and just completely
blows the lead there and everyone's
excited go Dodgers they get bat home run
the little guy Hernandez Justin Turner
his ugly hair he's excited they're all
excited let's see the replay Oh
smoked geared up and got it