HOUSTON — Kiké Hernandez’s game-tying home run was so clearly gone, and Astros manager Dusty Baker had the perfect reaction in the perfect moment.
Baker was being interviewed live on the Fox broadcast at the beginning of the third inning Friday night when Hernandez’s homer tied Game 1 of the ALCS at 1 apiece, and the Astros manager couldn’t help but blurt out two words that became an instant viral moment.
“Oh lord,” Baker said as Hernandez’s shot sailed 428 feet to left, an absolute no-doubter.
Hernandez’s homer ignited a Red Sox rally in the third, where they took a 3-1 lead. But Baker could laugh about it after the Astros came back to take a 5-4 victory, no thanks to another career game from Hernandez.
“It was terrible,” Baker said of being caught on the broadcast during the home run. “I blame Fox for that because invariably when you are doing it live — an in-game live interview something usually always happens. …
“I haven’t seen a hitter this hot in the last week than Kiké Hernández. Boy, when I saw that ball go up, I was, like, oh, man, that was a blast. Then he blasted another one. Yeah, it’s not a good feeling when you know you’re live on air and you see that ball leaving the ballpark.”
Baker wasn’t wrong. Despite a frustrating Game 1 loss, the Red Sox might have not had a chance to win without Hernandez, who continued to play outstanding offense and defense.
The game could have gotten out of hand early when Chris Sale loaded the bases in the second inning as the Red Sox trailed, 1-0. But with two outs, Michael Brantley hit a liner to center and Hernandez made a game-changing play, charging forward to make a terrific diving catch and save at least two runs.
Hernandez was just getting started. Minutes later, he led off the third inning with the game-tying home run. He doubled on a blooper to left in the fourth, and finished with a 4-for-5 night after his ninth-inning solo homer gave the Red Sox a late chance.
“It would have been a lot cooler if we won the game,” Hernandez said.
Of course, but Hernandez has to feel good about how he’s playing. After missing 10 days in late August and early September when he tested positive for COVID-19, the center fielder struggled to find his groove again at the top of the order when he returned. But a month later, it seems like he’s back.
Hernandez is 13-for-21 with three homers and seven RBI over his last four games, a torrid stretch even by his October standards. The 13 hits are the most by a player in any four-game span in postseason history, eclipsing the previous record of 11, which was held by four players.
“Enrique is en fuego,” manager Alex Cora said.
They hope it continues, and given his history, there’s a good chance it will. Hernandez has a calming presence in these playoff games, something he attributes to plenty of experience. Prior to joining the Red Sox, he had played in 58 postseason games over six years with the Dodgers, a stretch in which he’s had some memorable and special performances. He lives for them.
“I’m having a lot of fun,” Hernandez said. “It’s a blast. It’s October, and these games tend to be a lot of fun. A lot of adrenaline, a lot of electricity in the crowd. These games are a lot of fun, and the fact that I’m playing well adds on to it a little bit.”