The Los Angeles Dodgers got the win on Wednesday, August 19th, against the Colorado Rockies, finishing the sweep, but more importantly, the offense got going.
Entering the series, just about every hitter in the order was riding a cold streak heading into the series, but one of the bats struggling the most was Kike Hernandez.
Since coming back from his oblique injury, Hernandez’s swing has not looked as good as it did when he returned from elbow surgery.
Hernandez, after starting the season on the IL, made his season debut in late May, and he went 4-for-4 with two doubles and a home run.
His swing and confidence looked to be at an all-time high offensively, especially given that it was the regular season and he tends to turn it on in the postseason.
However, he then suffered an oblique injury and missed several more weeks.
The Puerto Rican returned in late July, and there was hope he could provide a similar offensive spark, but things haven’t gone well.
He went 2-for-24 entering Wednesday’s game against the Rockies, really struggling in terms of his approach, as he only got one walk during that span.
Hernandez, ever the colorful character, put it bluntly.
“It can’t get any worse than what it’s been going,” the utility player said. “Pitcher could have thrown the rosin bag at me the last couple of days, and I would have swung at it.”
Hernandez finally got going with a 2-for-4 game, in addition to a home run at Coors Field. He battled in three runs and looked a lot more like his pre-oblique self.
After putting a good hitting day under his belt, Hernandez may have found an approach for success.
What changed for Kike Hernandez
His slump stemmed from a common issue for hitters: overthinking his approach.
“It was more mentally. I’ve been having a lot going on in my brain. My mechanics are off, and I’m obviously not playing much,” Hernandez said.
“It’s hard to work on stuff and feel like it’s clicking. And today was one of those days where I said ‘F it. Just go out there and compete.’ And I was able to put two good swings on the ball and help the team win, contribute, which is nice. Hopefully, I can remember what I did today and keep it going.”
To help him remember, Hernandez will be doing some old-fashioned journaling.
“Probably on the way home on the flight, try to write some cues in my notes, and hopefully we can carry it on to the homestand and the road trip,” he added.
It is tough sledding for a player like Hernandez, who can play all over the field, but he only really plays against left-handed pitching.
His schedule is quite irregular, and even for a veteran, finding consistency is tough. If his new approach delivers results, he may help a shaky Dodgers offense close the season well.
