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Matt Kemp Day Recap: Dodgers Sweep Pirates With Walk-Off Win In 10th Inning

Blake Williams
5 Min Read
May 8, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (37) hits an RBI single during the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Alumni Weekend at Dodger Stadium ended with Matt Kemp Day for his retirement, and the Los Angeles Dodgers punctuated the celebration with a 6-5 walk-off win in the 10th inning to complete a sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Teoscar Hernández delivered the game-winning hit by going the other way for an RBI single with two outs.

The Dodgers started their scoring in the first inning when Freddie Freeman and Will Smith hit consecutive two-out doubles to make it a 1-0 game. Amed Rosario followed with an RBI single that extended the Dodgers’ lead.

In the second inning, Kiké Hernández’s base hit and Andy Pages doubled to put two runners in scoring position. With two outs, Teoscar Hernández doubled down the left-field line to drive in the pair and put the Dodgers ahead 4-0.

Outside of those innings, the Dodgers failed to string much together. They had a chance to score in the fourth inning after a single and walk from Kiké Hernández and Andy Pages, respectively, but the next three batters — Kevin Kiermaier, Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernández — failed to drive in a run.

The Dodgers also left two runners on in the fifth and sixth innings.

Glasnow turned in a strong start against his former team, only allowing a pair of runs in the third inning, both of which came on a home run from Andrew McCutchen. Pages was almost able to rob it, but the ball bounced out of his glove at the top of the fence.

Glasnow ended up pitching seven innings, allowing the two runs on five hits with four strikeouts and one walk. The four strikeouts were his fewest allowed this season when he goes more than five innings in a game.

However, the Pirates ended up tying the game in the eighth inning when McCutchen blasted a two-run homer against Anthony Banda. It was McCutchen’s first two-homer game since 2022, when he did it for the Milwaukee Brewers, also against the Dodgers.

The Pirates took their first lead of the game on a flare to left-center field that Hernández was unable to get to as it landed just under his glove for an RBI single.

Kiké Hernández immediately tied it with an RBI double in the bottom of the 10th, and Teoscar Hernández later collected his second walk-off hit with the Dodgers.

Dodgers honor Matt Kemp

Prior to the game, Matt Kemp officially signed a one-day contract to retire as a member of the Dodgers. The club held an on-field ceremony to honor Kemp and his legacy in L.A.

“I’m grateful to put this jersey on. This jersey is special. We were at a luncheon yesterday and the older guys, which I’m one of the old guys now, but the older ones before me, were talking about how special it is to put on this jersey and how they become a great player,” Kemp said before the game.

“I saw how that is, getting traded to San Diego, then Atlanta and coming back to L.A., it’s a different energy here. It’s something you can’t really explain, but it’s just great to be back. I’m going to sign this one-day contract and make them put me in the lineup at least for one at-bat to see if I can do it. I’ll probably strike out.”

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Blake Williams is a journalist from Reseda, Calif., who is currently the Managing Editor for Dodger Blue. He previously worked as a Managing Editor for Angels Nation, as a staff writer at Dodgers Nation, as the Managing Editor and Sports Editor for the Roundup News at L.A. Pierce College, and as an Opinion Editor for the Daily Sundial at California State University, Northridge. Blake graduated Cum Laude from CSUN with a major in journalism and a minor in photography/video. He is now pursuing his master's degree from the University of Alabama. Blake is also always open to talk Star Wars with you. Contact: Blake@mediumlargela.com