Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Teoscar Hernandez dropped a fly ball which opened the door for the Cincinnati Reds to score two runs during Wednesday night's Game 2 of their National League Wild Card playoff series in L.A.
It happened in the top of the first with two outs and Reds runner Gavin Lux on first with the game still scoreless. Reds batter Austin Hays hit a fly ball to shallow right field. Although Hernandez had to make a long run in, he appeared to be in position to make the catch for the third out to end the inning.
However, things did not work out as expected. Hernandez booted it as the ball popped out of his glove and bounced into foul territory. As Hernandez scrambled for the ball, Hays made it all the way to second base with Lux advancing to third. The Reds took advantage as Sal Stewart came up next and hit a single to knock in both runners in and give the Reds a 2-0 lead.
Teoscar boots one and the Reds have runners at second and third pic.twitter.com/bKisZTZDom
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 2, 2025
We have seen plenty of examples of MLB players misplaying fly balls. It is shocking to see dropped balls at the major league level, but even more so in the playoffs where players are expected to be at their best.
Fortunately, Hernandez took advantage of the opportunity to make up for his fielding blunder later in the game with a 2-run double in the sixth inning. The Dodgers won the game 8-4 to win the series 2-0.
