Puig’s late bomb keeps Dodgers hot after break
Outfielder homers twice in comeback
MIAMI — Yasiel Puig sent his bat flying with a celebratory shovel pass, which freed both hands so he could slap his chest as he slowly began to jog.
No rush — the Los Angeles Dodgers slugger beat the Miami Marlins with one strike to spare.
Puig hit his second homer of the game on a 1-2 pitch with two out in the ninth inning Friday night, and the three-run shot helped the Dodgers beat Miami 6-4 for their seventh win in a row.
“I’ve been trying to hit better with two strikes,” the Cuban defector said in Spanish. “I’ve been calmer at the plate.”
Puig increased his homer total to 18, one shy of his career high in 2013.
“I am trying to get to 20 and break all my personal records,” he said. “But the most important thing is to help my team win and reach the World Series.”
Corey Seager also homered for the Dodgers (62-29), were one strike from defeat three times before winning for the 27th time in the past 31 games. Starting the season’s second half, they climbed to 33 games above .500 for the first time this year.
The Marlins led 4-3 when
Joc Pederson singled on a 1-2 pitch with two out in the ninth against A.J. Ramos (2-4). It was the first hit by the Dodgers since the fifth inning.
Pederson moved up on a wild pitch, Yasmani Grandal walked on a 3-2 pitch, and both runners advanced on another wild pitch.
Puig fell behind 0-2, took a ball and then pulled a 94mph fastball into the home run sculpture. Ramos blew a save for the second time in 19 chances.
“I threw it where he could hit it out,” said Ramos, who declined to blame All-star break rustiness. “I was one strike away. I was sharp enough for that. Just couldn’t get the last out.” ■ ■ ■