On Sunday, the Los Angeles Dodgers avoided a sweep in Arizona on the strength of four solo home runs. Most important was the towering home run hit by Joc Pederson in the top of the 11th inning. With one swing of the bat – the Dodgers led the game – and Pederson had one of the longest home runs of the 2019 season for the club.
Furthermore, we learn that Pederson had a little added help. Indeed, the home run was hit with former Dodger Andre Ethier’s bat. This comes to us from Bill Plunkett of the OC Register.
#Dodgers Joc Pederson said he used a bat given to him by Andre Ethier when Ethier came to the game Saturday to hit the winning HR Sunday. "He said his bats are the hardest bats in the league."
Cody Bellinger is still wearing Joc's cleats. Hit the tying HR in them today.— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) September 2, 2019
Allegedly, Ethier came to the game on Saturday in Arizona and gave Pederson one of his old pieces of lumber. If you take Pederson at his word, Ethier’s bats have as good a reputation as any still circulating in the league; despite his retirement from the sport a short while ago.
Furthermore, Cody Bellinger is wearing Pederson’s cleats. While this is an aside on the story, Bellinger hit the game-tying home run on Sunday to even the score at three.
.@yungjoc650 talks post-game about his big homer in the 11th that sealed the victory for the #Dodgers. pic.twitter.com/KOb4yBbrT1
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) September 2, 2019
Finally, Pederson spoke with Alanna Rizzo on SportsNet Los Angeles about his winning blast. It’s important to note that this was the longest home run of Pederson’s season, and the second-longest of his MLB career at 454 feet.
“It’s huge, we’ve been grinding a little bit the last couple days so it was nice to get a win. Petey came and in and closed it out, it was well-needed. It gets us back on our feet before going home and builds some momentum.”
Joc isn’t one to give a flashy quote, but it’s really nice to see him contributing and being part of a big win as the Dodgers head into their final stretch run before the postseason. They’re going to need his left-handed thunder come October. And hopefully, he’s still got the faith in Ethier’s old bat.
The post Dodgers: Joc Pederson Still Getting Help From Andre Ethier appeared first on Dodgers Nation.
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