LOS ANGELES – After a big eighth inning for the Dodgers, the Hernandez duo played a key role in breaking a three-game losing streak. Teoscar Hernandez hit a go-ahead home run that sparked a four-run inning, leading to an 8-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium in front of a sold-out crowd of 54,012 fans.
GO AHEAD, TEOSCAR! pic.twitter.com/kXQgXBiUY3
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 27, 2025
Hernandez hit the ball 402 feet to left field off right-hander Colin Holderman, who threw an 88 mph cutter that failed to cut. This was Hernandez’s seventh home run of the season.
“The bottom line is he’s not afraid to fail,” Dave Roberts said. “That’s a superpower.”
The Dodgers recorded their first pinch-hit home run of the season, hit by Kike Hernandez, who blasted a three-run homer off left-hander Joey Wentz. This marked Hernandez’s eighth career pinch-hit home run and fifth of the current season.
No. 8 makes it 8! pic.twitter.com/t7G4uSaJZX
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 27, 2025
Roberts appreciated the energy and competitiveness that the Dodgers displayed during the game, where Shohei Ohtani was just one home run shy of hitting for the cycle. Since becoming a father on April 19, Ohtani had been struggling, with a record of 2-for-16 and six strikeouts. However, he seemed to be breaking out of this post-baby slump.
Mookie Betts, however, struggled to find his rhythm at the plate, finishing 0-for-4 on Saturday night. His performance has been below par lately, as he has gone 3-for-20 over the last five games.
Andy Pages has been very impressive on the field lately, and Roberts is thrilled with his performance. In his recent game, Pages went 3-for-4 at the plate and made a remarkable catch in center field, where he robbed an opponent of a home run. In just the first month of the season, Pages has been accumulating impressive highlights. While he is primarily known for his excellent hitting, he is currently excelling in all aspects of the game.
Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages (44) hits a single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the eighth inning at Dodger Stadium.
“I think Andy is just back to who he is as a baseball player,” Roberts said. “Andy’s strength is bat to ball, it’s always been. He’s as good as anyone in baseball right now.”
It was only a matter of time before the Dodgers' offense broke out, especially after Oneil Cruz gave the Pirates a strong start by hitting the first pitch of the game off right-hander Roki Sasaki. Cruz connected with a 96 mph fastball that was high and away, resulting in his eighth home run of the season.
Sasaki settled in after giving up a home run to Cruz on the first pitch of the game. He effectively shut down the Pirates through the fifth inning, but when Cruz came to bat again, this time with runners in scoring position, he delivered a two-run single to right field. Roberts noted that he could see Sasaki gaining confidence after his sixth start of the season.
“This might’ve been the best one of the year,” Roberts said.
Sasaki exited the game after pitching 5 and two-thirds innings, during which he allowed five hits and three earned runs, issued two walks, and struck out four batters. Despite his efforts, Sasaki remains winless through the first month of the regular season and currently holds a 3.55 ERA.
Right-hander Kirby Yates (2-1, 2.84 ERA) earned the win after pitching a shutout inning in the eighth. Left-hander Tanner Scott then entered the game in the ninth with a four-run lead, helping the Dodgers secure their 17th victory of the season.
The Dodgers will conclude the three-game series against the Pirates on Sunday afternoon as they start right-hander Tyler Glasnow (1-0, 3.71 ERA) and the Pirates counter with left-hander Bailey Falter (1-2, 5.19 ERA).