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Teoscar Hernández continued his torrid offensive output by going 3-for-3 with a walk and an RBI in the Dodgers’ 3-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, but his attempt to stretch a two-out triple in the third inning into an inside-the-park home run was cut short by a strong throw from Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz, per staff at Dodger Blue. The play demonstrated the aggressiveness that has characterized Hernández’s approach at the plate and on the basepaths during his recent hot streak.

Hernández started the game with a two-out triple in the bottom of the third, immediately putting pressure on Cincinnati’s defense and creating a scoring opportunity. Rather than accept the triple as a win, Hernández challenged the Reds by attempting to extend it into an inside-the-park home run. That kind of aggressiveness shows confidence in his speed and reads of the field, but it also carries risk. De La Cruz, one of the game’s premier defensive shortstops, made the play from his position and threw Hernández out at home. It’s the kind of decision that could have backfired, but Hernández’s offensive production throughout the game (going 3-for-3 before the play forced him out on the bases) suggests his confident approach is working. He’s swinging with conviction and putting consistent pressure on opposing pitchers. Whether it’s a triple stretched to the warning track or a controlled single, Hernández is delivering clutch hits in moments that matter.

De La Cruz‘s throw, while ultimately resulting in an out at home, was a reminder that the Reds have defensive talent and championship-caliber players. De La Cruz is one of baseball’s most dynamic shortstops—capable of impacting games both offensively and defensively. Making a play from the shortstop position and executing a throw to home to prevent an inside-the-park home run is exactly the kind of defensive excellence he brings to Cincinnati. But it was also a moment where De La Cruz’s defensive prowess highlighted what the Reds are up against. Even when they make the big play, Hernández is on base with multiple hits before that. The Dodgers’ offensive depth has made it difficult for Cincinnati to keep pace.

For the Dodgers, Hernández’s performance in the 3-2 victory demonstrates precisely why this team can compete against anyone in October. He went 3-for-3 with a walk—that’s an incredibly productive at-bat line. His willingness to be aggressive on the basepaths, even when it results in an out, shows a player operating with confidence and trusting his instincts. Against a team like Cincinnati that we could see in the postseason, this kind of individual offensive production matters. Hernández has become a key piece of this lineup, and his consistency over the past week against the Reds shows he belongs in high-leverage moments. The Dodgers have won six consecutive games with Hernández providing timely offense in almost every contest. That’s the kind of depth and production we need carrying into October. De La Cruz made a great play, but Hernández is still delivering results on the scoreboard. That’s the difference between a good team and a championship team.

Source(s): Staff (Dodger Blue) | First reported: September 9, 2026 5:00 PM UTC

God Bless and Go Dodgers