Pinch-hit home run from Kiké Hernandez sparks comeback in 2-1 walkoff win

LOS ANGELES--- The Dodgers found another way to win a game.  This time it was a walk-off walk by Yasmani Grandal that scored Scott Van Slyke that gave the Dodgers a 2-1 win over the Brewers at Dodger Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

That was the Dodgers' first walk-off walk since A.J. Ellis had one on May 18, 2012 against the St. Louis Cardinals.

But there was no doubt the biggest play of the game came an inning earlier.  Kiké Hernandez hit his first career pinch-hit home run to tie the game 1-1 in the bottom of the eighth.

"As soon as I hit it, I had goosebumps," Hernandez said. "Once I tied the game, everyone said well it is really hot, can you please score another one, we don't want to play extras and sure enough we did."

The Dodgers added Carlos Frias to be another bullpen arm prior to the game, however, Kenta Maeda was able to have another solid start as he pitched into the seventh inning.

Maeda went 6⅓ innings, allowed one run, five hits, walked three and struck out eight. Speaking through his interpreter after the game, Maeda said "a day like today, is an example of what I can do on more of a regular basis."

After Maeda was removed in the seventh with runners on first and second and one out, Jonathan Lucroy batted for Matt Garza and he hit a comebacker.  Baez grabbed and calmly started a double play to get out of inning.

Pedro Baez pitched a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen retired the side in order in the ninth.

The only run the Brewers scored was in the first inning, when with one out and after fouling off three pitches, Scooter Gennett hit a solo home run.

The Dodgers would not be able to capitalize in the bottom of the first.  Chase Utley singled and Corey Seager hit a double to left center to put runners on second and third and no out.

The Dodgers would go scoreless when Justin Turner struck out and Adrian Gonzalez hit a short fly ball to left.  Utley tried to score on the fly ball and was tagged out.

The Brewers did get a fine pitching performance from Matt Garza, who was making his second start of the season.  Garza pitched six scoreless innings, allowing five hits and struck out two on 70 pitches.

Up next

The Dodgers begin a three-game series against the Washington Nationals on Monday night at Dodger Stadium.  Clayton Kershaw and Stephen Strasburg will start against each other for the first time in their careers.  The game starts at 7:10 p.m.

Sunday particulars

Home runs: Kiké Hernandez (5); Scooter Gennett (6)

WP -  Kenley Jansen (3-2): 1 IP, 1 strikeout

LP -  Tyler Thornburg (3-2): ⅔ IP, one run, two hits, two walks, 1 strikeout