On Oct. 19, 2017, Kiké Hernandez had the game of his life for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the Chicago Cubs in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series to help them advance to their first World Series in 29 years.
The Dodgers did not waste any time getting on the scoreboard in their clinching game, and Hernandez was a big reason for that. He took Cubs starter Jose Quintana deep in the top of the second inning to give the Dodgers an early 2-0 lead.
That home run was Hernandez’s first of the postseason, although he was just getting started. Hernandez went deep again in the third inning, but this time it was with a grand slam as he went to the opposite field off Cubs reliever Hector Rondon to break the game open at 7-0.
Then for good measure, Herandez hit a third home run in the top of the ninth inning to cap off the 11-1 victory and surely a night that he will never forget. Hernandez became the first player to hit three home runs in a postseason game at Wrigley Field, and his seven RBI set an NLCS record.
The first pitch of @kikehndez's AB?
GONE. #ThisTeam pic.twitter.com/PVLvXmmNIF
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 20, 2017
The performance was extremely special for Hernandez and his family as his father, Enrique Sr., was at Wrigley Field to watch the game. He has previously dealt with cancer, which Hernandez has opened up about the challenges that caused their family to face.
Grand Slam! Kike Hernandez goes yard to put the Dodgers up 7-0 in the third! #NLCS #MLBonTBS pic.twitter.com/ctAmB3Fuf3
— TBS Network (@TBSNetwork) October 20, 2017
Additionally, this game also happened when Hernandez’s native country of Puerto Rico was dealing with the devastation from Hurricane Maria. Dodgers owner Mark Walter promised to donate to the relief efforts if Hernandez went deep in Game 5, and he responded with a career-high three home runs.
Anotha one! Kiké Hernandez goes deep for the third time putting the Dodgers up 11-1 in the ninth. pic.twitter.com/IzuCAHVQLZ
— TBS Network (@TBSNetwork) October 20, 2017
