Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — In a pivotal Game 2 of the World Series, Teoscar Hernández delivered a crucial two-run homer off Yankees starter Carlos Rodón, helping the Dodgers secure a 4-2 victory. Following the game, Hernández shared his thoughts on the moment, the atmosphere, and the uncertainty surrounding Shohei Ohtani’s injury.
Reflecting on his home run, Hernández expressed what the achievement meant to him. “It’s special, not only for me personally, but because I put the team in front,” he said. “For me, I always said it, I don’t care how I do, as long as the team wins, that’s all that matters in this World Series. Just trying to do the things I know how to do and help the team.” The homer, which gave the Dodgers a lead they wouldn’t relinquish, was a defining moment in a game marked by big plays and momentum shifts.
Hernández provided insight into his approach during the at-bat, which led to his long ball. “My first time up, I missed a little bit—a fastball up and away,” he recalled. “Then I go to my next at-bat, just stay up there and try to hit it to right-center. I hit a line drive to right-center, and it went a little farther than that, so I’m grateful for that.” The Dodger Stadium crowd’s reaction was unforgettable for Hernández. “It’s just amazing,” he said. “It’s an amazing feeling just to do that in front of these fans.”
The mood in the dugout, however, took a turn when Shohei Ohtani left the game holding his shoulder. “Not only the dugout, but the whole stadium went silent,” Hernández said, describing the initial reaction to the injury. “You know how big Shohei is for this team, and hopefully he’s okay. The day off tomorrow will help him get back on the field Monday.” He added that staying positive was essential: “A lot of things go through your head, but you just have to stay positive and think maybe he just jammed his hand and will be back on Monday.”
The injury turned out to be a sublaxation of the shoulder, and additional testing will be done on Sunday to determine Shohei’s availabiility for the rest of the series.
The Dodgers’ lineup has consistently excelled against left-handed pitchers, and Hernández noted their approach as a key factor. “We didn’t know that we were the best team against lefties,” he admitted. “We just go and try to do our job, have a good plan before every game, and stick together with one plan. We watch a lot of videos, look at the analytics, and just go out there and have some fun.”
When asked about Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who played a significant role in the Dodgers’ postseason, Hernández praised his teammate’s composure. “Yamamoto was made for those moments,” he said. “He was doing it in Japan before he got here, and as soon as he got here, he was doing it here. We trust in him. Earlier today, I told him it was going to be a good night for him, and it was.”
Hernández also expressed confidence in the team’s ability to stay competitive, even if Ohtani misses time. “We’ve battled throughout the year with a lot of injuries—first it was the starting pitchers, then Mookie, and then Freddie,” he said. “Hopefully not Ohtani in this case, but if he can’t go Monday, we just have to keep doing the things we’ve been doing.”
With the series tied 1-1, Hernández and the Dodgers are eager to keep pushing forward as they head to New York for Game 3.
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