Dodgers’ Chris Taylor Felt Some ‘Relief’ Following Game-Tying HR
On Friday, the most unlikely batter in the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup tied the score in the fifth inning with a solo home run against the Kansas City Royals.
Chris Taylor entered Friday’s game batting .100 with a .307 OPS and 41 strikeouts in 103 plate appearances. He jumped on a 2-1 changeup, lining his homer into the left-center field pavilion to make it 3-3.
It was only Taylor’s 10th hit and second extra-base hit of the season. It was his first homer of the season and as soon as it left his bat, he felt a giant weight lifted off his shoulders.
“Yeah, it’s been a while,” said Taylor, who hadn’t homered since last Sept. 7, a span of 165 plate appearances. “I think it was more of a relief than anything. I wasn’t sure I was ever going to get to do that again.”
With the news of Jose Abreu being released by the Houston Astros, it isn’t a far-fetched idea to think that Taylor could follow in his footsteps. Getting the home run might have saved his season, or at least another month, with the Dodgers.
Despite his struggles, he arrives at the ballpark every day ready to work and help his teammates win no matter what his role is for that day. This year, he has seldom been used because of his inability to get on base.
The veteran was also joined by Miguel Rojas, who hit a two-run home run two batters before him to bring the Dodgers within one. It was his third long ball of the season.
“That was a big hit for us, kind of gave us some life,” manager Dave Roberts said. “(Cole) Ragans was throwing the ball so well that one moment, you’re thinking you might get no-hit, and the next thing you know, you’re back in the ballgame.”
Freddie Freeman ended up driving in the game-winning run in the eighth inning and Alex Vesia recorded the save.
Photo Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports
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