What an absolutely fun weekend of Dodgers baseball. Two comeback wins, and a sweep of the Cincinnati Reds. This team continues to show no quit when down late in the game.
Both comebacks were spurred on by shortstop Corey Seager, who with a walkoff double Saturday night, recorded his first ever walkoff hit at any level. For a player as talented as he, that seems highly improbable. But, baseball. Seager then proceeded to smash the go-ahead runs in with his first ever grand slam in the eighth-inning. That also was his first grand slam in the major leagues. Again, surprising.
Unfortunately, the weekend may have also brought with it another injury. Adrian Gonzalez was pulled from the game after the sixth inning due to back stiffness. Manager Dave Roberts told reporters after the game that AGon was removed because his back “locked up”.
“He took a couple awkward swings, so I wanted to get him out of there and get him into the training room,” Roberts said. “We’ll keep an eye on him. Joc’s obviously in the equation if something does happen.”
Gonzo is due to get an MRI Monday on the herniated disk between his L4 and L5 . This would be the second visit for Adrian to the disabled list this season, after not having ever been on it before. He was previously sidelined with an elbow inflammation and a chronic bulging back disc.
Pederson for his part has been with the Triple-A Oklahoma City Dodgers for three games. He is batting .333 with two home runs, four walks, and four RBI in this rehab stint. If the front office deems that Pederson is not quite ready to return from the disabled list, Brett Eibner was seen in the Dodgers dugout on Sunday, and he could be the replacement.
Gonzalez going to the DL should move Cody Bellinger to first base. If Pederson returns, he would go back to center, and that could conceivably move Chris Taylor to left field. For a guy who didn’t make the team because he doesn’t play the outfield, he sure is playing a lot of outfield. But, gotta find a way to keep the second hottest bat behind Justin Turner in the lineup.
Enrique Hernandez, the guy that ‘took’ Taylor’s roster spot to start the season, had an incredible AB in the middle of the eighth inning to continue the inning. He saw a total of 13 pitches, fouling off eight of them on his way to gathering walk off Reds relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias. Kiké has had a wonderful bounce-back season as a utility player, contributing all over the field. I for one will admit I was skeptical, but very happy he’s proven me wrong.
After an off-day on Monday, the Dodgers will begin a three-games against the Indians in Cleveland. Tuesday, Clayton Kershaw will face off against Trevor Bauer. This will be only the second time Kershaw has pitched at Progessive Field, his last time coming in his 2008 rookie season.
Wednesday will see Brandon McCarthy facing Corey Kluber, who will be making his second start after coming off the disabled list. Thursday’s matinee will be Rich Hill going against Josh Tomlin, who has never faced the Dodgers before. The only batter to have faced him is Logan Forsythe, who is batting .333 against him.
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