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Dodgers: Balloons, Kiké, 5 things we learned from opening night win

ByJeffrey Bellone|
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 23: Enrique Hernandez #14 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a two run homerun off of Conner Menez #51 of the San Francisco Giants, to take an 8-1 lead during the eighth inning, on MLB Opening Day at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 23: Enrique Hernandez #14 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a two run homerun off of Conner Menez #51 of the San Francisco Giants, to take an 8-1 lead during the eighth inning, on MLB Opening Day at Dodger Stadium on July 23, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. The 2020 season had been postponed since March due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 23: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrates a two run homerun from Enrique Hernandez #14 along with Joc Pederson #31, to take an 8-1 lead over the San Francisco Giants. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

4. Kiké Hernández is ready for a big season

It came as a surprise when top prospect Gavin Lux was optioned to the team’s alternate site this week. When the Dodgers reported to Spring Training in March, it seemed like the everyday job at second base would belong to Lux.

However, after arriving late to summer camp for undisclosed reasons, it quickly became apparent that the Dodgers were considering other options to play the middle of the infield next to Corey Seager.

While Chris Taylor had an impressive camp, Hernandez looked good, too. He earned the start at second on opening night, and boy, did he took advantage of the opportunity.

Hernández went 4-5 with 5 RBIs, including a clutch opposite-field, 2-RBI base hit in the 7th inning to give the Dodgers a 4-1 lead. His single in the 4th inning put the Dodgers first run on the board. And he capped off the night with a home run in the 8th inning to give the Boys in Blue a commanding 8-1 lead.

Per ESPN, Hernández is the 6th Dodger batter to record 5+ RBIs on Opening Day since the stat became official in 1920, joining the likes of Raúl Mondesi and Pedro Guerrero.

This is an important season for Kiké as he will be a free agent in the winter. Obviously, he has great incentive to put up big numbers. And he is off to a great start.

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