The Los Angeles Dodgers were able to earn their third-straight win on Monday night, defeating the Miami Marlins, 2-1, in the series opener at Dodger Stadium.
Kiké Hernandez put his full talent on display in the victory, making a pair of great plays at shortstop behind top prospect Walker Buehler, and getting three hits at the plate, including a home run and a perfect bunt single that moved the eventual winning run up 90 feet in the bottom of the eighth inning.
The all-around play Hernandez regularly brings to the table was something Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was complimentary of. “I know in the clubhouse, our ballclub, it’s a huge value for us, the versatility and what he can do on a baseball field. He’s certainly valued. I try to get him in every single night, because he just has a way to impact the game,” he said.
Buehler was superb in his first career Major League start, tossing five shutout innings. But Roberts had no problem admitting that the night belonged to Hernandez.
“Walker threw the ball well but I think tonight was Kiké’s night. Defensively, hitting the homer, getting the bunt down late. Really big night from him,” Roberts said.
The all-around play is something that the Dodgers have come to expect out of Hernandez since they traded for him before the 2015 season. He has the ability to fill in at any position when needed and be above-average defensively at that position.
His bat seems to be coming around this year as well, as he tore up the Cactus League during Spring Training and is now hitting .275/.350/.510 with three home runs and nine RBI so far this season.
Hernandez has been good against both right-handed and left-handed pitching this season, which gives Roberts a huge advantage when filling out his lineup card every night.
