Dodgers fans go crazy after Kiké Hernandez saves LA with 9th-inning web gem
Kiké Hernandez may have just made the play of the year.
The Los Angeles Dodgers clinched another win on Wednesday after taking down the Washington Nationals 6-5. It was a close one throughout that came down to a wild game-winning play from utility man Kiké Hernandez.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Nationals had guys on first and second with just one out recorded. Washington hit a grounder through the first and second base gap that could have yielded a big run for the team. However, Hernandez made a brilliant diving play to snag the ball and throw it to second to record an out. The Dodgers went on to record the third out and win the contest.
As soon as the play ended, Dodgers fans jumped on social media to celebrate the 33-year-old star. Many shared hilarious GIFs while others simply loved what they saw.
Hernandez has been filling in at first base so far this season after Dodgers star Freddie Freeman suffered an injury after falling in the shower. There is a chance Freeman will come back to the lineup on April 11, which he’ll be a big boost to the offense.
In the meantime, Kiké Hernandez is playing rather well for L.A. At least defensively. His offensive stats could use improvement but it’s still early in the season and he’s simply filling in where the Dodgers need him. Entering Wednesday’s contest, the two-time World Series winner has recorded a .111 batting average and a .154 OBP while hitting four home runs and seven RBIs.
The Dodgers will now move on to a three-game home series against the Chicago Cubs with the first game being on April 11. That means Hernandez could head back to the bench sooner, rather than later but it’s ultimately up to manager Dave Roberts.
Dodgers’ Dave Roberts clarifies Shohei Ohtani’s eye-opening pitching comments
The good vibes have dissipated quickly for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who began the season with two straight series sweeps but have now lost three games in a row, including two to the Washington Nationals. The Dodgers now sit at 9-4 ahead of Wednesday afternoon’s series finale in Washington, not quite on the historic win pace they were to begin the season.
The pitching for the Dodgers has been a question mark over the last few games, and fans are eagerly awaiting the day when superstar Shohei Ohtani is able to retake the mound, in addition to his otherworldly talents at the plate. Ohtani recently raised eyebrows by noting that he’s only been able to throw fastballs during bullpen sessions.
Recently, manager Dave Roberts got 100% real on where Ohtani is in the rehabilitation process from the elbow injury that’s kept him from being able to pitch.
“I think he’s actually in a good place,” Roberts said, per The Associated Press (via ESPN). “He’s still playing. It was a collective decision. I think that he understands the goal is to make sure that he is firing on all cylinders toward the end of the season through October. We’re in lockstep.”
Ohtani last pitched in August 2023, when he was still a member of the Los Angeles Angels.
