No player in MLB history has done what Kiké Hernández did vs. Red Sox

07-21-2024
2 min read
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Nobody had a bigger impact on the Dodgers' come-from-behind win in extra innings against the Red Sox on Saturday than Kiké Hernández. In fact, no player in MLB history has impacted a game the way he did in the later innings. 

Hernandez tied the game in the ninth inning when he socked a solo home run to left field off of Boston closer Kenley Jansen. In the 10th inning he tied the game at 6-6 when he drove home Andy Pages with a single to center. 

Then in the 11th it was Hernandez who started the inning on second base. He eventually scored the winning run on Will Smith's walk-off single. 

By scoring the game-winner, Hernandez became the first player in the history of Major League Baseball to have two game-tying hits and score the game-winning run, all in the ninth inning or later

—%20OptaSTATS%20(@OptaSTATS)%20July%2021,%202024%20">according to OptaSTATS.

Baseball games don't typically see a single player take over a game, but that's what Hernandez did Saturday. Even though his 2024 campaign has largely been disappointing, there aren't many players the Dodgers would rather have up in a big spot and Hernandez showed why in Saturday's win.