Dodgers News: Kiké Hernandez Says Win Could Jumpstart Team

Looking to avoid their first four-game losing streak since 2013, the Los Angeles Dodgers had an exciting, but unusual way to win a game.

With two outs and Jimmy Rollins down in the count, pinch-runner Kiké Hernandez ran down the line to draw the attention of Texas Rangers reliever Keone Kela. The move worked as Kela flinched and Hernandez came home on a walk-off balk, or balk-off. For the Dodgers it was a necessary win with the San Francisco Giants coming to Los Angeles for a three-game series.

Hernandez discussed the play that led to the victory, saying third base coach Lorenzo Bundy told him to give a fake towards home. The Rangers third baseman was far enough off the bag to attempt the deke, and thankfully, it worked. The Dodger utility man said it wasn’t his first “balk-off”, saying he used to do it all the time in high school.

Taking a more serious note, Hernandez believes this could be a win that gets the team going back in the right direction. “I think every time the team is struggling a little bit, a crazy win can be the start of something good,” the 23-year-old said.

“With the Giants coming into town, hopefully we can win the series or sweep, so we can get a bit of breathing room in the standings,” Hernandez added.

The Dodgers have struggled against the Giants so far in 2014, going 2-7 against them; however, they did take two out of three in their only home series against their rivals. Currently, the Dodgers hold a 2.5 game lead over the Giants.

While the offense has struggled of late, the Dodgers will avoid facing Madison Bumgarner for the fourth time this season. They are 0-3 against the left-hander, with Clayton Kershaw failing to outduel the World Series MVP.

A series win this weekend could give the Dodgers the shot in the arm they need to try and capture their third straight NL West title.

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