With the Los Angeles Dodgers facing San Francisco Giants right-hander Johnny Cueto in the second of a three-game series, it created another starting opportunity for Andrew Toles. The speedy outfielder has made a tremendous impact since joining the club for his Major League debut.
On Monday, Toles appeared as a pinch-hitter and led off the bottom of the ninth with a base hit. He later scored on Justin Turner’s single to tie the game. While Adrian Gonzalez delivered the walk-off double, he credited Toles and others for sparking the rally.
Turner and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts also sung Toles’ praises. That’s become a bit of a habit in the clubhouse.
Toles was hitless in Tuesday’s loss, though did draw a walk, and made his presence felt defensively.
With two outs and a runner on first base, Brandon Belt flared a single into left-center field. Brandon Crawford aggressively attempted to go first to third, and was thrown out by Toles to end the inning:
Adding further insult to Crawford’s questionable decision, he suffered a dislocated pinkie on his head-first slide and was immediately removed from the game. Crawford did receive positive news after being examined postgame and is considered day-to-day.
For Toles, it was his second assist of the season. His first came Saturday when the 24-year-old easily threw out Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder Yasmany Tomas at home plate after fielding a base hit.
Per MLB’s Statcast technology, Toles’ 97.6 mph throw was the third-hardest assist recorded by a Dodgers outfielder this season. Yasiel Puig leads the group with six assists.
