Yes way! Miguel Rojas delivers a game-changing homer

Miguel Rojas hit a pinch-hit home run in the seventh inning on Monday. (Juan Ocampo/Los Angeles Dodgers)

by Cary Osborne

No way.

Yes way.

Just like Nov. 1 in Game 7 of the World Series, the expectation with Miguel Rojas in the batter’s box on Monday was get on base. Not hit a home run.

But Rojas, inserted into the game as a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the seventh inning, swung at the first pitch he saw from veteran left-handed pitcher Steven Matz and drove it over the wall in left field at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium.

It was the 59th career home run for Rojas and his second career homer as a pinch hitter. The solo home run was the deciding run in the Dodgers’ 4–3 win against the visiting Tampa Bay Rays in the series opener on Monday.

The probability of the homer happening — like his Game 7 legendary homer — was minute.

The Dodgers entered the game as one of six teams without a pinch-hit home run this season. Rojas had one pinch-hit home run in 131 previous pinch-hit opportunities. He had one home run in 120 plate appearances this season coming into this game. He was 6-for-28 in his career against Matz.

The math didn’t add up, except …

Rojas is killing fastballs up and in the strike zone this season — 4-for-9 against left-handers, 5-for-12 overall coming into the at-bat. Matz threw him one up and in, and he barreled it.

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“With Miggy versus a left-hander coming off the bench, I love the matchup,” said manager Dave Roberts. “And so you never expect a homer, but I just knew that I liked the matchup. And I thought he was going to put a good at-bat (together). But he’s really embraced this role, one of our team leaders, and it’s good to keep him active and part of things. It’s good for his spirits, and also helps us win baseball games.”

The veteran infielder in his 13th season, recognizing his role on the team, said he has recently sought out advice from others on how to succeed in pinch-hitting situations.

One thing that he came away with is to be more aggressive.

“I feel like in the past I was thinking, ‘Let’s put a good at-bat together. Don’t get out on the first pitch,’” Rojas said. “And then sometimes the first pitch was the best pitch to hit, so that’s what I’ve been doing. That doesn’t mean that it’s going to happen every single time like that, but today worked out.”

It just so happens the pitch was in a location where it pushed him more to be aggressive in the situation.

The Dodgers were close in large part to Kyle Tucker.

Tucker hit a three-run home run in the second inning off Rays starter Nick Martinez, who came into the game with the third-best ERA in the American League. Tucker also threw a runner out at home from right field in the top of the third inning.

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Tucker, who is still searching to find his All-Star/Silver Slugger form in his first season with the Dodgers, has pinpointed the issue to timing and getting his bat path right.

He’s hoping Monday was a step forward.

“I would love to come back and do it again, just make it consistent every single day,” Tucker said. “If it works out for one at bat, it’s not like I immediately figure it out, and everything’s fine now. … I felt good and everything. I just got to try and do it again tomorrow.”