MLB
Kiké Hernandez Gets Loss In The 16th Inning Against Phillies
No, you didn’t read wrong. Last night, Kiké Hernandez got the loss in the 16th inning against the Phillies. The game lasted almost 6 hours and saw 18 pitchers between the two teams. Well, 17 pitchers plus Kiké Hernandez who is now more than ever a super utility player. We’ll look at Kiké’s pitching debut and reaction later.
How They Got To 16…
Offensively, the Dodgers struck first and led into the 7th inning. Yasmani Grandal helped out with the lead by belting two solo homers, making it his 15th and 16th.
Defensively, Kenta Maeda dominated to start off the game. allowing only one run through 6 innings. However, in the 7th inning, he didn’t fare as well, as Maeda gave up three runs including a two-run blast by Jorge Alfaro, to tie the game up 4-4. Last night was the first time Maeda has given up more than three runs since mid-May.
The Bullpens
Both the Dodgers and Phillies bullpens put in some work last night and both pitched beautifully. For the Phillies, after Aaron Nola started the game and gave up three runs, Adam Morgan came into relieve him giving up one run himself, in the 6th. The rest of the game the Phillies used seven pitchers to keep the Dodgers from scoring another run.
The Dodgers’ bullpen looked amazing as well. After Maeda completed the 7th, Scott Alexander came in, followed by J.T. Chargois, Zac Rosscup, Daniel Hudson, Erik Goeddel, Dylan Floro, and Kenley Jansen, all of whom gave up zero runs.
In the bottom of the 16th, the Dodgers sent utility man Kiké Hernandez to take the mound. Kiké has shown off his cannon numerous times in the outfield and when he plays shortstop, so it makes sense as to why he’d be called upon to pitch. However, his “Dad” Chase Utley, gave him strict orders not to throw too hard and hurt himself. Facing his first batter, Hernandez got him to fly out to right where Cody Bellinger snow-coned the ball to keep it from going in the gap. That’s where Hernandez’s positive pitching performance stops. The next two batters Hernandez faced he walked. Followed by a walk-off home run from Trevor Plouffe, to end the 16 inning battle that lasted 5 hours 55 minutes and earning him the loss.
Kiké Trolled Himself After Loss
Kiké Hernandez is clearly a fan favorite. With his outgoing personality, positive attitude, infectious smile and jokester ways one can’t help but to like the guy. Hernandez is also very active on social media, so why would he, after getting a loss as a pitcher, be any different? Almost immediately after the game, Hernandez joked on Twitter,
“Welp….. I thought it’d help me in arbitration but…… it backfired! K bye! See ya tomorrow! #L “
On Instagram, Kiké posted a pic and video of himself pitching with the caption.
“Rough day at the office!! 0-7 at the plate and took the loss on the bump! Luckily we to try it again in 10 hours! Gotta work on that ERA tho!”
That’s exactly the outlook and attitude more players need to have. Is he happy they lost? No. However, he can make fun of himself and focus on the next game.
I don’t know what Kiké is talking about though when he says he has to improve his ERA… He’s only at an 81.00 ERA!
