Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal unloaded on a fastball to snap his postseason offensive slump, hitting a two-run home run against Jake Arrieta in the fourth inning of Game 3 of the NLCS on Tuesday night at Dodger Stadium.
Dear right-center field...
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) October 19, 2016
YAZ says hello! pic.twitter.com/XVCoFBiOee
Grandal entered Game 3 in a 2-for-19 slump this postseason, though also with five walks, and hhhe added to that with a strikeout in the second. He talked about prioritizing defense and working with the pitching staff with reporters on Monday, but also hinted his offense was coming.
Per Pedro Moura of the Los Angeles Times:
“But, now, at any point at any time, one swing could change a lot of things. And it’s gonna be scary if that one swing happens. If I go on a tear, it’s gonna be a bad time for them. It takes one movement for me to figure it out. Until then, I’m gonna keep walking and keep getting my pitchers through.”
It got real bad for Arrieta in the fourth inning when Grandal hit a full-count fastball over the wall in right center field, widening the Dodgers’ lead to 3-0.
Grandal tied for the team lead with 27 home runs during the regular season, and hit 20 of those at home.