Teoscar (grand slam, 6 RBIs): Big moments ‘what we play for’

NEW YORK — In the Dodgers’ two trips to New York this season, Teoscar Hernández has been a busy man. With a large presence from his native Dominican Republic, Hernández has done at least a couple of pregame interviews before each game, in Queens and now in the Bronx.

When asked if he likes New York City a few days ago, all Hernández did was break out a smile and joke, “Yeah, I know a few people here.”

This weekend, with the eyes of the baseball world centered around Yankee Stadium, Hernández turned himself into the king of the city, tormenting the Yankees once again with two homers, including a grand slam, to lead the Dodgers to a convincing 11-3 win on Saturday. The six RBIs match a career high for Hernández.

“This is what he signed up for,” said Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. “He talked about looking forward to this series and playing in Yankee Stadium. There’s certain guys that the moment doesn’t get too big. I talk about that a lot. … I don’t know if it’s winter ball, being a veteran, I don’t know if he played in the [World Baseball Classic], but he likes it, and he can certainly temper that heartbeat in a big moment.”

The last two nights at Yankee Stadium have felt like postseason games. Both fan bases have been well represented, including a large group of Dodgers fans in attendance on Saturday. For the Dodgers, that atmosphere in June has served as a “shot in the arm,” as Roberts described it. There’s no question it has brought out the best in their players, especially Hernández.

On Friday, it was Hernández who dealt the big blow, delivering a clutch two-run double in the 11th inning. On Saturday, Hernández didn’t waste nearly as much time making a significant impact, smashing a solo homer off left-hander Nestor Cortes in the second inning to give L.A. the early advantage.

Then in the eighth, with the Dodgers holding onto a two-run lead, Hernández sent the sold-out crowd towards the exits early with a grand slam off right-hander Tommy Kahnle. It was Hernández’s second grand slam of the season and the fifth of his career.

“That’s what makes you a really good player,” Hernández said, when asked how much he enjoys hitting with runners in scoring position. “I want to be a really good player. I want to be in those situations every time, even if I strike out or I don’t get the job done. The next opportunity, I want it back and just try do better.”

In his first season with the Dodgers, Hernández has come through more often than not in those situations. With his six RBIs on Saturday (matching a career high), Hernández extended his team lead with 47 RBIs, with 35 of them coming with runners in scoring position.

For context, Mookie Betts has 26 RBIs in such situations. Shohei Ohtani has 20, Freddie Freeman has 32 and Will Smith comes in with 28. Hitting in those situations was a struggle for the Dodgers the last two Octobers. Only time will tell, but the Dodgers are hoping Hernández’s innate ability to hit in those situations will be the difference this fall.

“I do, honestly,” Hernández said with a smile when asked if he enjoys hitting in big spots. “I just want to face good teams. The Yankees are having a really, really good season, like always. I like it.”

While Hernández led the Dodgers’ offensive explosion in the Bronx, Gavin Stone delivered another strong start for Los Angeles. Stone ran into some trouble in the first two innings, allowing back-to-back singles in both frames. The rookie right-hander, however, was able to limit the damage, only allowing one run. Once he settled in, he took care of the Yankees’ offense, allowing just two runs over 5 2/3 innings.

“Especially with our offense, one run is nothing compared to what these guys can do,” Stone said. “Just limiting the damage and giving these guys a chance to come back and put up some more runs on the board.”

Timely hitting and pitching is the recipe for success in the postseason. The Dodgers have a long way to go until then, but this group has gotten a taste of what it might look like. They’ve passed the test with flying colors, and they have a chance to cap off a special weekend with a sweep on Sunday. If history repeats itself, it’ll probably be Hernández in the thick of it once again.

“That’s what we play for,” Hernández said. “Let’s see what happens in the future.”