Dodgers News: Miguel Rojas Discusses His Play In Kershaw’s No-Hitter

Los Angeles Dodgers rookie infielder Miguel Rojas arguably made the play of the game Wednesday in what wound up being a no-hit performance from Clayton Kershaw.

As a high chopping ground ball was hit to Rojas at third base off the bat of Colorado Rockies’ shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, Rojas flashed some leather and showed off his arm by fielding the grounder on a short hop, setting his feet and firing a bullet across the diamond to first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who picked the ball out of the dirt.

Following the win, Kershaw praised Rojas’ defensive skills, via Cary Osborne of DodgerInsider.com:

“Miggy made a great play. He has great hands and once he caught it, then Gonzo picking it up on the other end, obviously it was a big play for us. I thought it was foul. Miggy stayed with it the whole way. He made a really great play, so that was definitely huge for me.”

Rojas, a nine-year Minor League journeymen, made an important defensive adjustments prior to the play that saved Kershaw’s no-hitter. A line drive hit down the third base line just foul by Tulowitzki influenced his decision to hug the third base line:

“I asked the umpire if it was close to the line. I realized anything close to the line you have to dive for because the umpire can call it fair or foul.”

Throughout Rojas career in Minors, he’s been known for his defensive play. Rojas was a .283 hitter and was given an opportunity at second base during Spring Training before losing out to Dee Gordon.

Rojas was called up from Triple-A when the Dodgers optioned fellow infielder Erisbel Arruebarrena June 6 to the Albuquerque Isotopes. Along with making a key stop, Rojas collected his first extra-base hit and drove in three runs with a bases-clearing double.
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