Yasiel Puig home run keys Dodgers to 3-2 win over Padres
By Brad Rowland
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig seems to remain at the center of controversy throughout Major League Baseball, but in his first at-bat on Tuesday night, he reminded the baseball world of why his talent lives up to the billing. Puig blasted a 2-run home run off of San Diego Padres starter Ian Kennedy, scoring Carl Crawford, and the 2-0 lead that the swing gave the Dodgers was one that helped them to put away a 3-2 victory.
Puig finished the night with 2 hits in 4 trips to the plate, scoring the run and driving in 2 from the first swing, but that was all he needed to do to make it a worthwhile evening. LA would need the insurance run provided on a Dee Gordon RBI single in the 4th, but with Zack Greinke on the hill, the Dodgers didn’t seem to be in any particular danger until closer Kenley Jansen loaded the bases in the 9th.
Speaking of Greinke, the right-hander was making his debut for the 2014 season, as he missed the team’s Australia series with injury, and he was relatively sharp. The former Cy Young award winner finished just 5 innings (94 pitches), but he allowed only 2 runs while striking out 5, and he looked fairly comfortable despite the rust factor.
It seems quite odd that the Dodgers already have a 3-1 record, but other than LA leading MLB in wins (!), the biggest takeaway on Tuesday night was the majestic blast from Yasiel Puig.