LOS ANGELES — Teoscar Hernández homered twice to again a dominant Bobby Miller on the mound within the Dodgers' second straight win over the Cardinals, prevailing 6-3 on Friday evening at Dodger Stadium.
In his first two at-bats Friday towards St. Louis left-hander Zack Thompson, Hernández went deep, a solo shot to proper area within the second inning adopted by a three-run job within the fourth.
From 2020-23, Hernández hit .312/.346/.626 towards lefties, his 161 wRC+ towards southpaws fifth finest within the sport. That's why, when the Dodgers signed Hernández to a one-year, $23.5 million contract in January, common supervisor Brandon Gomes mentioned: “We really feel like the ability, and the power to essentially handle the pitching left-handed was an distinctive measure for the way our line is constructed.”
These homers on Friday had been the primary two occasions dealing with a left-hander to date this season for Hernández, who has pitched each inning however to date has averted dealing with any of the opposing relievers.
“I noticed one in the present day,” Hernández mentioned after the sport with a smile.
“To have him get into the weeds on the sixth gap actually provides size to our lineup,” supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned. “While you move the primary three, or 4 or 5 guys, to have a ship like Teoscar, it may be harmful. Tonight he confirmed us all nicely.”
They offered greater than sufficient offense to assist Miller, who struck out a career-high 11. He retired the primary 11 batters he confronted till a one-out single by Nolan Gorman within the fourth inning, the primary Cardinals hit of the collection by anybody. different than Paul Goldschmidt.
Six of Miller's 11 strikeouts got here trying, and he used his complete repertoire Friday, getting 4 strikeouts every on the fastball and changeup, plus three extra off a slider.
“It took me some time to determine it out [the changeup] it was my finest pitch. Coming into the minor leagues, I believed it was the slider, nevertheless it seems it was the changeup,” Miller mentioned. “That's a very good weapon for me towards hitters, when lots of guys are attempting to be on time for a heater. I do know I can promote it nicely, like my fastball.”
Miller's greatest risk got here within the sixth, with a single adopted by a two-out stroll to Goldschmidt, giving the Cardinals their first runner in scoring place all evening. After falling behind 3-1 to Gorman, Miller bought a strike known as on a 99 mph fastball, and completed it off with a 98.1 mph heater for a swinging strikeout.
Mixing and mixing
Hernández has began all 4 video games to date for the Dodgers, in left area for the primary three video games. On Friday, with Jason Hewyard sitting towards a left-hander, Hernández moved to proper area, because the Dodgers shuffled in three right-handed hitters who had but to start out this season.
A kind of starters was Kiké Hernández in heart, marking the primary time the Dodgers began two gamers named Hernández in the identical sport.
Apart from Heyward, the Dodgers don't plan to return tight ends to any of their hitters, however they may present days off for some, and maneuver based mostly on matchups.
For instance, Mookie Betts began at second base on Friday after beginning the primary three video games at shortstop. That left a spot for Miguel Rojas to start out at shortstop. Coincidentally, they each hit solo residence runs on Friday.
Betts' residence run was his forty ninth profession residence run in a sport, and his twenty ninth with the Dodgers, the latter surpassing Davey Lopes for probably the most in franchise historical past.
Betts has reached base 13 occasions in 19 plate appearances this season, and has but to make an out in consecutive journeys to the plate. His 9 RBI video games are probably the most in Dodgers historical past by means of the primary 4 video games of a season, tied with Carl Furillo (1955), Jim Wynn (1974) and Ken Landreaux (1983).
Left-handed hitters Gavin Lux and James Outman began Friday on the bench. Roberts mentioned Outman will begin Sunday towards left-hander Steven Matz, and that Max Muncy may have a time without work within the collection finale.
Lux will nonetheless have some begins towards left-handed pitching, however in some circumstances, when he sits the Dodgers may begin Kiké Hernández or Chris Taylor at second base to maintain Betts at shortstop. However the common plan is when Rojas performs, he might be at shortstop, with Betts shifting to second base.
“It's positively not a platoon state of affairs,” Roberts mentioned. I would like Mookie to get as many reps as doable at brief whereas additionally protecting Miguel Rojas concerned.”
Particular Friday
Programs at residence: Mookie Betts (3), Teoscar Hernández 2 (2), Miguel Rojas (1)
WP – Bobby Miller (1-0): 6 IP, 2 hits, 1 stroll, 11 strikeouts
LP – Dylan Thompson (0-1): 5⅓ IP, 6 hits, 5 runs, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts
Sv – Evan Phillips (2): 1 IP, 1 barred
Subsequent
In principle, the Dodgers and Cardinals will play once more Saturday evening (6:10 p.m., SportsNet LA), with Yoshinobu Yamamoto making his Dodger Stadium debut towards previous good friend Lance Lynn. However with heavy rain anticipated all through the weekend, plans could change.
