How Did Teoscar and Kiké Turn the Dodgers’ Fate Around in a Stunning Pirates Showdown?
The Dodgers limped into Saturday night’s clash with the Pittsburgh Pirates burdened by a trio of straight losses — their bats silent, runs as scarce as a sunny day in Seattle. Yet, oddly enough, the long ball remained their shining beacon, especially when it came off the bats of guys named Hernández.
In an electrifying eighth inning, Teoscar Hernández stepped up and launched a go-ahead homer, putting the Dodgers on the path to victory. Not long after, pinch-hitter Kiké Hernández crushed a three-run jack that sealed the deal in a raucous, sold-out Dodger Stadium, lifting L.A. to an 8-4 comeback win. The team’s offense might’ve sputtered in fitting the broader run production puzzle — sitting at a modest .233 batting average and a middling .312 on-base percentage — but no team in the majors flexes power quite like these Dodgers, who top the charts with 43 homers.
Teoscar himself shrugged off the idea that he’s hunting homers. Instead, he focuses on shrinking his strike zone and waiting for the right pitch — wisdom from a guy who knows that when a swing’s good, the ball tends to fly.
That said, the power drought’s been particularly harsh on Max Muncy. The guy who’s crushed 35-plus homers in four of his last seven seasons looks like a shadow of himself this year — powerless and perplexing at the plate. It’s like a contagion sweeping through the lineup, and Muncy’s no exception, despite his yearning to get back on track.
Meanwhile, other Dodgers began finding their rhythm. Shohei Ohtani racked up two doubles and a triple, Andy Pages collected three hits for the second straight game, and the lineup’s energy felt renewed, as manager Dave Roberts noted with evident relief. Oh, and rookie Roki Sasaki—after battling with velocity issues—found his mojo again, delivering 5⅔ solid innings while mixing in some strong strikeouts.
It’s a mixed bag out there for L.A., but with power from the Hernández duo and some late-inning magic, the Dodgers finally snapped their skid. Still, questions loom — especially about Muncy and the rotation — and eyes are already turning toward the hopeful return of Tony Gonsolin, whose season debut might just stabilize a shaky pitching staff.
There’s plenty to unpack here, and if you want the full breakdown — the plays, the pitches, the grit — dive deeper at the source.
LEARN MOREThe Dodgers entered Saturday night’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on a three-game losing streak with hits and runs increasingly difficult to muster.
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