Carlos Ruiz hits 7th Dodgers PH HR in postseason, first at home since Kirk Gibson in 1988

Carlos Ruiz did something in Game 3 of the NLDS not seen at Dodger Stadium since the 1988 World Series.

After Joc Pederson singled with one out in the fifth inning, Ruiz was called upon to pinch hit for pitcher Pedro Baez with the Dodgers trailing 4-1.

Gio Gonzalez had the Dodgers flustered to that point, just 3-for-16 on the day with a walk. But Ruiz, who homered earlier this season against Gonzalez — on April 17 with the Phillies — took him out to left field, bringing the Dodger Stadium crowd to life with a two-run home run, pulling LA to within 4-3.

It was the first pinch-hit home run by the Dodgers in the postseason since Orlando Hudson in Game 5 of the 2009 NLCS, and just the seventh pinch-hit postseason home run in franchise history. The last one at home was by Kirk Gibson in Game 1 of the 1988 World Series.

Ruiz hit .271/.407/.386 with two home runs against left-handers this season.