Video: Kiké Hernández Reflects on Father’s Day Pinch-Hit Game-Tying Home Run

After the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, utility player Kike Hernandez spoke with MLB Tonight about his pinch-hit game-tying home run and why this one was extra special to him.

As we all know, Hernandez made a drastic change to his appearance last Tuesday when he shaved his head. He did this in support of his father who is currently battling cancer.

“My dad is going through cancer right now so I want to be there for him but I can’t because I have to be here (with the team). This is my way to show him my support and show him I will always be here for him no matter how far away we are from each other. He will always be in my heart.”

Although his father was not at the game on Sunday, Hernandez spoke about how making such a great play during a Father’s Day game at the Ravine made it all the better.

Fresh. pic.twitter.com/dbjtPOyaYz

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 15, 2016

The Dodgers celebrated the holiday by wearing a special Father’s Day themed uniform similar to the one they wore on Mother’s Day. On Sunday, along with other Dodger players, Hernandez took to Instagram to wish his father a happy Father’s Day using hashtag #CancerSucks.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BG2B6iGnmGg/?taken-by=kikehndez&hl=en

In his interview with MLB Tonight, Hernandez said that he hadn’t been with his parents for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day since he was in high school and this year hurt him a lot more considering his father’s current condition. Hernandez said he knew he wasn’t going to be a starter for Sunday’s game, but had a feeling he would do something special.

“I blacked out and hit a homer,” Hernandez said.

“I honestly thought about what’s going to happen if I hit a pinch-hit homer, how am I going to run the bases? And sure enough as soon as I hit the ball, my entire body had goose bumps and it was really hard not to cry around the bases.”

Feeling a lot better about the team’s overall performance, Hernandez said that the team is starting to turn around a little bit, and that the offense is starting to come together again.

“Our offense is starting to come together again. I feel like we are the team again and at the end of the day we are going to be in a pretty good spot. We are still a great ball club.”

After winning the series vs. the Brewers, the Dodgers will close out their home stand vs. the Washington Nationals.

Watch Kiké’s full interview: