For Kiké Hernández, the common season is little greater than a six-month warm-up. Actual baseball is performed when the night air turns crisp and the leaves start to vary.
And when summer season turns to fall few gamers have stepped up greater than Hernández, who had two hits, scored two runs and drove in one other Wednesday, spurring a Dodger comeback that resulted in an 8-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds and a sweep of their Nationwide League wild-card collection.
That sends the crew on to the best-of-five Division Collection with the Phillies, which begins Saturday in Philadelphia.
October Kiké is one thing fairly particular, Dodger supervisor Dave Roberts stated. And the monitor document speaks for itself. He’s among the best all through the historical past of the postseason.
Its a popularity hes earned.
A .236 profession hitter within the common season, Hernández has hit .286 in 88 postseason video games. He slashed .203/.255/.366 in an injury-marred common season this 12 months, however two video games into the playoffs hes hitting .500, leads the Dodgers with three runs scored and ranks second to Mookie Betts with 4 hits. He additionally made a splendid over-the-shoulder catch whereas racing to the warning monitor within the first inning Wednesday.
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Some guys are constructed for this second. Hes undoubtedly one in all them, stated third baseman Max Muncy, standing in the midst of the Dodgers batting cage throughout the groups postgame celebration, his blue T-shirt soaked in champagne as a teammate poured beer over his head.
Hernández, carrying goggles however not a shirt, made a short look on the victory get together however departed to rejoice with household earlier than the champagne and beer started to puddle on the plastic sheeting that lined the ground.
His teammates had been all too completely happy to discuss him in his absence.
He’s a man who shouldn’t be shy from the from the second, infielder Miguel Rojas stated. I really feel just like the common season for him shouldn’t be sufficient.
Rojas stated he realized that first hand after rejoining the Dodgers in 2023. Though the groups playoff run was transient, Hernández led the crew with two RBIs and was second in hits and common.
I noticed it on TV earlier than. However once I obtained right here I noticed that it was actual, he stated. He at all times needed the second and he confirmed it tonight with a giant double to tie the sport.
That got here with one out within the fourth, when his line drive to heart discipline scored Muncy from first to tie the rating, 2-2. 4 pitches later he scored on Rojas single, placing the Dodgers forward to remain.
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However Hernández wasnt completed. Two innings later he led off with a squibber up the third-base line that was going foul earlier than it hit the bag for a single, beginning a four-run rally that put the sport away. The underside third of the Dodger lineup Hernández, Rojas and catcher Ben Rortvedt mixed to go six for 12 with 5 runs and two RBIs.
Kiké is Kiké, outfielder Teoscar Hernández stated above the din of the celebration. That’s the man you get when October begins.
Earlier than that? Not a lot. However for Hernández, the postseason has develop into redemption time.
I do know they introduced me right here for these kinds of moments, he stated earlier than Wednesdays sport.
The attractive factor in regards to the postseason is that when we get to the postseason, all the pieces begins at zero. You may have a foul 12 months and also you flip the script and also you begin over within the postseason. You’ve got a very good postseason, assist the crew win, and no person ever remembers what you probably did within the common season.
Learn extra: Dodgers showcase their psychological resolve and beat Reds to advance to NLDS
Hernández, 34, owes a lot of his fall heroics merely to the chance to play on the sports activities largest stage. In a dozen big-league seasons, hes made the playoffs 10 instances, enjoying in 21 postseason collection with the Dodgers and Boston Crimson Sox and profitable two World Collection rings.
I’ve been blessed to be on the proper crew on the proper time, he stated. Being a very good postseason participant is type of a person factor, however probably not. You’re on a crew that doesn’t make the playoffs, you may’t be a postseason participant.
I simply occur to be on loads of actually good groups, and I’ve been lucky sufficient to get loads of probabilities.
Along with his efficiency Wednesday, he assured himself at the very least three extra probabilities within the division collection with the Phillies. And Rojas expects him to take full benefit.
He at all times needs the second and he needs to be on the market, he stated. I’m studying from him each single day. He’s probably the most ready man that I’ve ever performed with.
Particularly in October.
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This story initially appeared in Los Angeles Occasions.
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