We’re not even halfway through Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, and Boston Red Sox center fielder Kiké Hernandez has already put together a highly impressive performance.
First, Hernandez made a ridiculous diving catch with two outs and the bases loaded to keep the Houston Astros’ lead at 1-0 after two innings. If he doesn’t make this catch, at least two runs score, and it’s possible Houston keeps adding on. Now, he did get a late break on the ball, but he more than made up for it with this incredible effort:
An incredible diving catch by Red Sox CF Kiké Hernandez to leave the bases loaded! ⚾️ pic.twitter.com/vv1fnChgqc
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) October 16, 2021
Hernandez followed that up by hitting a home run to lead off the bottom of the third inning. “Ooh lord,” Astros manager Dusty Baker exclaimed during an in-game interview with Fox, knowing this ball was long gone off the bat.
Today in awkward in-game interviews:
"And you know like I… OOOH LORD!"- Dusty Baker https://t.co/imVUDpv3KV
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) October 16, 2021
And in the bottom of the fourth inning, Hernandez added a double. That gives him 12 hits over the last four games, which is good for a postseason record.
Kiké Hernández has 12 hits in his last 4 games, the most over a 4-game span in MLB postseason history. pic.twitter.com/pXkVkUO0hf
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) October 16, 2021
Hernandez has played a huge part in the Red Sox reaching the ALCS, and he’s not slowing down.
