Kiké Hernández lifts Dodgers with two-run HR over Phillies

PHILADELPHIA — Roki Sasaki delivered an impressive performance, as Kike Hernandez and Michael Conforto both hit home runs, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park in front of 44,404 fans.

Sasaki retired nine consecutive batters after settling into the game following a tough first inning. His splitter was particularly effective, as he struck out all four of his victims with the filthy splitter. He efficiently mixed his fastball and splitter, using only a couple of sliders throughout the game. Sasaki threw four straight splitters to strike out Bryce Harper swinging in the first inning as he set the tone.

In the fourth inning, Sasaki also struck out Nick Castellanos using four straight splitters. He had found the right combination during his four innings of work. However, in the fifth inning, he issued a leadoff walk to J.T. Realmuto and allowed a single to Bryson Stott to right field. As a result, Sasaki's night was over, pitched four-plus innings, allowed three hits, two walks, and four strikeouts. Dave Roberts decided to bring in left-hander Anthony Banda.

Banda closed out the inning without allowing a run, aided by an impressive catch from Teoscar Hernandez, who doubled up Scott at first base to end the inning. Banda picked up his third win of the season. The Phillies' middle lineup struggled, going 0-for-13, while Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and Bryce Harper combined for 3-for-10 against the Dodgers' pitching staff.

In their first seven games, the Phillies starters allowed only two earned runs. However, Hernandez changed the game with a two-run home run off right-hander Aaron Nola.

Hernandez hit a 79 mph knuckle curve thrown by Nola in the second inning, marking his third home run of the season. He has been receiving more at-bats since Freddie Freeman was placed on the injured list. Hernandez finished the night with one hit in four at-bats.

Conforto extended the Dodgers' lead with a solo home run on a cutter that didn’t break for his second home run of the season. He made solid contact, sending the ball 397 feet over the center field wall off Nola. Max Muncy added three hits on the day without his new torpedo bat, which most likely won't go back to after going 0-for-3 with his torpedo bat.

Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani went hitless in four at-bats, although he did have one walk and one strikeout.

Ohtani threw another bullpen session on Saturday, during which he tossed 26 pitches and included some splitters for the first time. In his previous bullpen sessions, he had only thrown four-seam and two-seam fastballs to avoid stressing his elbow.

Nola allowed three runs over six innings, recording two strikeouts and one walk on 97 pitches. He gave up seven hits, which accounted for all the Dodgers’ hits in the game. The Phillies’ Joe Ross and Tanner Banks pitched the final three innings, shutting down the Dodgers without allowing any hits. Nola's record is now 0-2 with a 6.35 ERA.

The Dodgers' bullpen played a crucial role in maintaining their lead after Sasaki exited the game. Banda, Ben Casparius, and Alex Vesia contributed to the effort. With a 3-1 lead, left-hander Tanner Scott needed only three pitches to secure a win against the Phillies in the bottom of the ninth, earning his third save in four attempts this season.

The Phillies (6-2) have made a strong start to the season, having split their first two games. They will conclude the series with left-hander Christopher Sanchez (0-0, 1.69) facing off against right-hander Tyler Glasnow (1-0, 0.00) on Sunday afternoon. Following this, the Dodgers will have a day off on Monday as they travel to Washington, D.C., for a visit to the White House.